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Trade Unions and the Welfare of Rural-Urban Migrant Workers in China

Author

Listed:
  • Booth, Alison
  • Freeman, Richard
  • Meng, Xin
  • Zhang, Jilu
Abstract
Using a panel survey, we investigate how the welfare of rural-urban migrant workers in China is affected by trade union presence at the workplace. Controlling for individual fixed- effects, we find the following. Relative to workers from workplaces without union presence or with inactive unions, both union-covered non-members and union members in workplaces with active unions earn higher monthly income, are more likely to have a written contract, be covered by social insurances, receive fringe benefits, express work-related grievances through official channels, feel more satisfied with their lives, and are less likely to have mental health problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Booth, Alison & Freeman, Richard & Meng, Xin & Zhang, Jilu, 2020. "Trade Unions and the Welfare of Rural-Urban Migrant Workers in China," CEPR Discussion Papers 15350, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:15350
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xin Meng, 2017. "The Labor Contract Law, Macro Conditions, Self-Selection, and Labor Market Outcomes for Migrants in China," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 12(1), pages 45-65, January.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Trade union; Rural-urban migration; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J5 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East
    • P21 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Planning, Coordination, and Reform
    • P30 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - General

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