A comparative study on industrial relations and collective bargaining in East Asian countries

or in other countries with associated Reproduction Rights Organizations, may make photocopies in accordance with the licences issued to them for this purpose. A comparative study on industrial relations and collective bargaining in East Asian countries / Youngmo Yoon ; The designations employed in ILO publications, which are in conformity with United Nations practice, and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Labour Office concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. The responsibility for opinions expressed in signed articles, studies and other contributions rests solely with their authors, and publication does not constitute an endorsement by the International Labour Office of the opinions expressed in them. Reference to names of firms and commercial products and processes does not imply their endorsement by the International Labour Office, and any failure to mention a particular firm, commercial product or process is not a sign of disapproval. ILO publications can be obtained through major booksellers or ILO local offices in many countries, or direct from ILO Publications, International Labour Office, CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland. Catalogues or lists of new publications are available free of charge from the above address, or by Preface This paper is part of a series of studies on industrial relations developments in different countries and regions of the world. It examines the current state of industrial relations and collective bargaining, as well as the varied legal, political, economic and social changes leading to the realities of employment relations in East Asian countries today. Before the 1990s these countries enjoyed relative stability in industrial relations; however, as a result of globalization, they now face increasing competitive pressures and are experiencing a degree of turbulence as the actors attempt to settle into viable models of industrial relations. The paper provides a comparative analysis of industrial relations systems and collective bargaining practices in East Asian countries. Particularly interesting is the range of workers' and employers' organizations' traditions and practices, in addition to the different of collective bargaining processes present in these countries. In China and Viet Nam, the national trade union centre holds a monopoly over workers' representation, and though this provides for political sway, it does not suggest in each case strong workplace influence. This is different from Japan and Korea which have strong …