Labour, autocratization and resistance

Historically, trade unions have been at the center of democratizing revolutions and political reforms, but what is their role and potential today? Economic liberalization processes and shrinking of formal sector employment, have weakened trade unions across the world. Anti-liberal and autocratic leaders have targeted unions along with other potentially critical organizations through a mix of cooption and repression strategies. Yet, in some cases trade unions still play an important role in democratic resistance. This roundtable will discuss the strategies and political potential of contemporary trade unions and the international trade union movement. This panel is part of the CMI/LawTransform RightAct project, funded by the Research Council of Norway and a collaboration with The Global Research Programme on Inequality - GRIP.

Participants: Godfrey Kanyenze Ledriz, Zimbabwe, Kerstin Hamann University of Central Florida, Lyn Ossome Director Makerere Institute of Social Research, Liv Tønnessen CMI

Moderator: Lise Rakner University of Bergen