Wary Allies.(labor unions, non-governmental organizations, and multi-national corporate codes of conduct)

Trade Unions, NGOs, and Corporate Codes of Conduct

CORPORATE CODES OF CONDUCT OFFER A"THIRD way" to promote labor rights in the global economy--a civil-society alternative to first-way government regulation or second-way trade-union organizing and collective bargaining. Supporters argue that such codes can harness the market power of informed consumers to halt abuses against workers in developing countries, given that national laws vary and governments cannot possibly inspect every workplace and prevent every abuse.

Like cereal boxes in a supermarket aisle, a ...