Are Labor Unions Necessary Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Are Labor Unions Necessary - Research Paper Example Labor unions have been recognized for the unrelenting fight for the social welfare of the workers. In a number of countries, governments have succumbed to the pressure of labor unions to raise the living standards for their workers. In the past, the public sector employees and political parties formed the majority of the labor unions population. Workers in the public sector are many, and they cannot individually fight for their interests at work. This, therefore, necessitates the use of labor movements that act as the representative of their interests. According to the AFL-CIO, trade unions have been experiencing a decline from the onset of the 21st century because many employers, especially in the private sector, have endeavored to provide the best working conditions for the employees. In the public sector, however, trade unions have remained the single fighting voice for most of the employees due to their numbers. Major companies have stressed the need for national governments to r espect the rights of workers, raise their minimum wage rates and provide a better working environment (Meng 1638).These countries include India and China that are currently experiencing an increasing trend in production. Many companies have relocated their manufacturing operations to countries like China because of the low cost of production probably resulting from the low cost of labor (O'Grady et al.). These countries experience more labor union actions than more developed countries because of the dilapidated working conditions.