Transnational labor activism

In an era when the economy is increasingly globalized, traditional labor unions that represent formal-sector workers in national-level industrial relations systems are no longer enough. To be effective, labor activists and their organizations have had to reach beyond their comfort zones and engage across national borders. Some of this transnational engagement has been facilitated by the international labor movement, but non-union actors have also played an important role in generating transnational forms of labor activism. This chapter begins with a discussion of the drivers of transnational labor activism in a world characterized by global supply chains, temporary labor migration and the growth of the gig economy. It then outlines the role played by the international labor movement and non-governmental organizations, highlighting their respective tactics, strengths and weaknesses as advocates for workers’ rights. As the chapter explains, both the Global Unions and their non-union counterparts—with their largely complementary methods of engagement—have demonstrated the benefits of taking a transnational approach. At the same time, there remains much to be done to address the challenges faced by workers in our globalized world.