Goal 9:Establish equal protections for workers.ObstaclesAs with the implicit full employment goals discussed in the prior goal, increasing worker's rights can be expected to be resisted. A long history of the rise of organized labor shows how divisive and violent these objections can be. The objections are related to the perceived differences in aims of management and labor. Changes to the expected roles of business can modify expectations. In some countries workers have a role in company management. The trend towards stock ownership by workers makes them more allied with the overall success of the firm.If companies do not feel disadvantaged relative to their competitors they will be less resistant to a cooperative labor management model. On the other hand, many who run enterprises have a domineering personality and feel that any restrictions on what they can do is an affront. There is no way to change these people's attitudes, but for most large firms they don't have absolute control and arguments to other stakeholders such as the board of directors, major stockholders, customers and even the general public can be tried. The current campaign against Walmart is an example of such an effort. The road is always longer when people's egos become an issue. ImplementationIn the real world rights are won by struggle. While companies may feel that their untrammeled ability to use their workforce without restraints is the best policy, this has not been borne out by the historical record. A well represented workforce leads to improved working conditions, more stable labor costs and a wealthier populace. This situation ultimately benefits industry; their potential customer base expands, and their labor costs are better managed. A dispirited, underpaid, unhealthy workforce is less productive. Turnover is higher leading to lower productivity and increased training and recruitment costs.By extending worker rights to developing countries the cutthroat competition which is threatening many regional businesses is lessened, benefiting everyone. Governments and industry can take the lead in promoting sane labor policies and avoid the kind of historical strife that has happened in the past, or they can risk civil unrest and economic disruption. Poland is an example of what can happen when the ruling elite disregards the demands of the working class. For a decade the economy was in turmoil and eventually the entire political system was replaced. In this case things worked out for the better, but there are many other examples where harsh anti-labor policies have essentially paralyzed a society. Why take the risk? It doesn't take much to appease workers, most just want a decent standard of living in a safe and secure environment. Abusing them for the sake of increased profits always has consequences. Some of these are delayed, but as the recent resistance to globalization has shown, the consequences, when they happen, are always unpleasant. Workers view their goals relative to their own society and small changes are usually enough to improve their satisfaction. Even if each new generation of business leaders fails to learn these lessons, political leaders would be advised to insure a satisfied workforce if for no other reason than self interest. |