Chinese workers are typically portrayed in two conflicting lights. In the first, they are seen as suffering immensely due to extremely low wages and poor working conditions. In the other, they are seen as unfairly taking away job opportunities from Americans and contributing to the de-industrialization of the United States. This symposium will consider these views in the context of China’s new labor contract law, which on paper provides for much greater protections of workers in dealing with their employers. Legal scholar Virginia Ho (J.D., Harvard) will analyze the evolving legal environment for workers. Zhang Lu, a sociologist (Ph.D., Johns Hopkins) will discuss how actual conditions have evolved on the factory floor, and economist Liu Jialu will analyze trends in wages amongst China’s workforce.
Free Refreshments. No RSVP necessary.