Abstract:
This paper compares the apparent rise of neo-liberal labor market reforms in India,
Indonesia, the United States and Australia during recent decades. It is noted that all
the economies under review have gone through major labor market reforms, though
the exact nature of the reforms has varied quite considerably for each of the countries.
Work stoppages in each of the economies have also generally declined in more recent
years for all of the economies, though the extent and timing of the decline has varied
quite considerably, especially for Indonesia. The paper argues that the evidence
supports a view that neo-liberal labor market reforms have contributed to a decline
in labor dispute numbers, though other factors have also contributed to the decline in
stoppages, including declining inflation, changing labor market conditions and
declining union density.
