Economists and the governments they advise have based their macroeconomic policies on the idea of a “natural rate of unemployment.” Government policy that pushes the rate below this point--about 6%--supposedly triggers an accelerated rate of inflation that is hard to reverse. Argues that this concept is flawed: a stable non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment (NAIRU), independent of macroeconomic policy, does not exist. Consequently, government decisions based on the NAIRU not only are misguided but have huge and avoidable social costs, namely, high unemployment and sustained inequality. NAIRU’s neglect of labor’s impact on technological change and productivity eclipses the many positive contributions that labor and its regulation make to economic performance. When these positive effects are taken into account, a more humane policy becomes feasible—one that would enhance productivity and progress. (also as e-book).

(UNEMPLOYMENT: “NATURAL RATE” QUESTIONED * ECONOMICS AND NAIRU)

Provides the latest global and regional estimates of employment and unemployment, employment by sector, and labor productivity, while also analyzing trends in the labor market. Also contains a short-term outlook based on projections or scenarios, focusing on unemployment, vulnerable employment, and working poverty. “GET seeks to develop the requisite information and analysis for promoting full, decent, and productive work for all, including women and young people.”

(WORK * GLOBAL ECONOMY * EMPLOYMENT TRENDS)

Refutes the commonplace view that globalization has lowered labor standards and quality of life; rather, it has been in fact very good for workers’ quality of life, and improved labor conditions promote globalization.

(WORK * GLOBALIZATION AND LABOR STANDARDS)

American society has grown dramatically more unequal over the past quarter century. The economic gains of American workers after WWII have slowly eroded – in part because organized labor has gone from encompassing one-third of the private sector to less than one-tenth. Weak labor laws impose only minimal penalties on employers who illegally fire workers for trying to organize a union. To achieve reform, labor needs the political power that comes from expanding union membership; to grow, unions need labor law reform. The Civil Rights Act should be amended to prohibit discrimination against workers trying to organize a union. Identifying the ability to form a union as a civil right frames the issue in a way that can be readily understood.

(WORK * UNIONS * LABOR LAW)

Sheds light on the magnitude of domestic work, a sector often “invisible” behind the doors of private households and unprotected by national legislation. Presents national statistics and new global and regional estimates on the number of domestic workers, showing that these workers represent a significant share of the labor force worldwide, and that domestic work is an important source of wage employment for women, especially in Latin America and Asia. Also examines the extent of inclusion or exclusion of domestic workers from key working conditions laws, especially how many domestic workers are covered by working time provisions, minimum wage legislation and maternity protection. The results demonstrate that under current national laws, substantial gaps in protection still remain.

(WORK * DOMESTIC WORKERS WORLDWIDE)

The continuity of human existence means we do not go empty handed into the darker hours, for the attributes of courage and perseverance lie ready in our emotional armory. Storms such as the crashing of financial markets will seem like turbulence when viewed in retrospect. Collectively the human spirit has so far proved equal to the task and this book seeks to chart the psychological sources of challenge and inspiration for individuals, families and organizations. Stress is undoubtedly one of the major work-related illnesses and is even more common in times of economic uncertainty and downturn. Assesses the psychological challenges created by instability and uncertainty, and provides a survival toolkit that shows how to combat stress in personal lives.

(TURBULENT TIMES * STRESS * WORKPLACE STRESS)

In the face of high unemployment in Europe for the past 30 years, the unemployed have organized themselves and mobilized at levels ranging from the local to the transnational. Through long-term analysis of movements of the unemployed in ten countries (Belgium, Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Switzerland), the authors explores why, when, and how the unemployed move from acquiescence to protest.

(WORK * UNEMPLOYMENT IN EUROPE)

Examines the experiences of 21 developed and developing countries in adjusting their training provision to meet new demands of a greener economy. Shows that skills development is critical to unlocking the employment potential of green growth, yet skills shortages are becoming an obstacle in realizing this potential. While few new occupations are emerging, massive changes are occurring in existing ones, wih carbn-intensive industries typically losing jobs. Recommends that countries devise strategies based on well-informed policy decisions, social dialogue, and coordination among ministries and between employers and training providers.

(WORK * GREEN JOBS * SUSTAINABILITY AND SKILLS * EDUCATION FOR GREEN JOBS)

The power of the social protection floor lies in its simplicity. The floor is based on the idea that everyone should enjoy at least basic income security sufficient to live, guaranteed through transfers in cash or in kind, such as pensions for the elderly and persons with disabilities, child benefits, income support benefits and/or employment guarantees and services for the unemployed and working poor. Social protection has helped to stabilize aggregate demand in times of crisis and to increase resilience against economic shocks, helping to accelerate recovery towards more inclusive and sustainable development paths.

(WORK * SOCIAL PROTECTION FLOOR)

Offers a composite overview of the responses of trade unions and other workers’ organizations to neoliberal globalization in general and to the recent financial crisis in particular; explores the state of labor in Brazil, China, Nepal, South Africa, Turkey, North America and Europe; and offers a wide range of short-term strategies and actions, medium- and long-term policies, and alternative visions that challenge the current development paradigm.

(WORK * TRADE UNIONS WORLDWIDE * ECONOMIC CRISIS AND UNIONS)