Changing Workplace Relations in the Chinese Economy (Electronic book text)

This volume attempts to look beyond the 'iron rice bowl' employment system that has typified Chinese workplace relations since the early 1950s and how Deng's economic reforms since 1978 have changed its 'jobs for life' and 'cradle to the grave' welfare arrangements. Part I covers the development of industrial relations in the PRC since 1949, the evolution of its trade unions in both state-owned and joint-venture firms and the role of state-owned enterprises as embodiments of this lifetime employment system. Part II proceeds to look at ongoing empirical research on current labour-management practices, individual and collective contracts, human resource management in joint ventures, performance-based rewards systems and changing workers' attitudes. Part III considers wider issues, such the growth of unemployment due to structural reforms, the challenges to 'socialist' workplace relations and the role of organized labour in contemporary Chinese economy and society.