PrefaceAlthough trade unionism continues to have a strong appeal as an instrument and symbol in the search for industrial and economic democracy, there is ample reason to ask whether trade unions will survive into the next century. For large parts of the world, particularly in Asia and Africa but also in South and Central America, this is no longer a question leading to an unequivocally affirmative answer. The trade union movement in these continents is hardly equipped for the totally new challenges posed by phenomena like structural adjustment packages, the exclusion of labour national politics, the informalization and feminization of industry, flexibility in labour relations and the casualization of work. The earlier strength that was based on a long-standing record of achievement through collective bargaining, struggles for democracy and campaigns for international solidarity no longer exists. Trade unions themselves are highly concerned about these developments, and such concerns are reflected particularly in the international institutions and networks around programmes of cooperation for training, education, research and local institution building. This book originated in an extensive evaluation of one such programme, the Trade Union (international) Co-financing Programme of the two national labour federations in the Netherlands, Federatie Nederlandse Vakverenigingen (FNV) and Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond (CNV). The programme is largely funded through development cooperation resources. The study was undertaken by an international team associated with the Institute of Social Studies (ISS), The Hague, which reported to Jan Pronk, Minister for Development Cooperation and through him to The Netherlands parliament. The study dealt with projects, programmes, facts and trends from 1985 onwards. The reports that examined involvements in more than 50 countries in three continents resulted in 17 monographs - desk studies, field studies, background documents and policy recommendations. The background documents became key inputs for the preparation of this book. Much attention was given to themes that have generally been dealt with inadequately in trade union studies: regional (that is, Globalization and Third World Trade Unions sub-continental or continental) labour-market developments, patterns of industrial reorganization and aspects of labour and work in the informal sector. These studies included continental overviews and country studies. The first were multidisciplinary analyses of crucial factors which in essence define the space and relevance of the trade union movement in Asia, Latin America and Africa. The six country case studies then focused explicitly on an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of trade unions in specific countries. For Africa and Latin America it has been possible to adopt a continental approach; in Asia, at least three different sub-regions are to be distinguished. Only two country studies could be undertaken for each continent, due mainly to budgetary constraints. In Asia, the cases of Malaysia and Pakistan represent the huge contrast between the highly impressive take-off stage of Southeast Asia and the relative stagnation that is still so widespread in South Asia. In both regions, but for different reasons, the outlook for the trade union movement appears to be gloomy. In Latin America, the Chilean and Venezuelan cases provide strong illustrations of development towards and away from democratization; these reflect the tenuous nature of the political situation in that continent and the difficulties which labour organization encounters. The overwhelming odds against the trade union movement, whether in the political, social or economic domains, form the basis for the selection of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Africa, the first with an historically strong labour movement, the latter with one that is just emerging as an independent organization. The study owes thanks to many colleagues who ensured that great expertise on themes and countries mentioned above could be mobilized. First, I am extremely grateful for the great efforts made by Syed Hussein All, Charles Amjãd-Ali, Paschal Mihyo, Patricio Frfas, Domingo Mendez, Jaime Ruiz Tagle, Amrita Chhacchi, Freek Schiphorst, Dirk Kruijt, Kees Konings, E.A. Ramaswamy, and Frits WiIs. They accepted the challenge to return to earlier drafts, rewrite and add new insights. I owe them an apology for imposing very tight limits on length in which to contribute their broad knowledge as close observers of trade union developments. Many thanks go to colleagues in the Employment and Labour Studies programme at ISS who defacto converted my agenda of work into an informal sabbatical for six long months. Robert Molteno, chief editor of ZED Books, London, was most encouraging and expressed once again a commitment to publish a book on the predicaments faced by working people in so many parts of the world. Wim Zoet, of the Netherlands Directorate General for Development Cooperation, made special efforts to ensure support from several departments. Karamat Ali, of the Pakistan Institute for Labour Education and Research, was available where possible with support and insights. Many thanks go to Michel Hendriks for the skilful manner in which instruments of modern communication were applied to keep in touch with all authors. The way in which he prepared the manuscript for final editing was just superb. Gerry Schipperijn pitched in most professionally whenever there was a need for extra assistance. Amin Kassam performed linguistic magic by wielding his (electronic) pen with precision during the final editing. My thanks to him for his comments on the content and for carrying out the difficult tasks of correcting grammar, ensuring conformity with the publisher's stylistic rules and rewriting as necessary, all while retaining the flavour of the original. Lastly, instead of the usual thanks to people who have suffered during the preparation of this book, I would like to mention an informal support group. During a period which in the Netherlands coincided with the closest to a tropical summer since 1718 when statistics on weather conditions began to be collected and reported, Geertje, Ram, Dirk, Freek, Frits, Abbas, and Paschal left a lasting impact. Henk Thomas Institute of Social Studies, The Hague Introduction
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