From poverty to power - Oxfam-Québec

3 POVERTY AND WEALTH THE CHANGING WORLD OF WORK• Gujarat Mahila Cooperative Federation (which is responsiblefor organising and supporting SEWA’s membership inseveral types of co-operative);• Gujarat Mahila Housing SEWA Trust (which provideshousing services);• SEWA Social Security (which provides health and child careand insurance services);• SEWA Marketing (which provides product development andmarketing services);• SEWA Academy (which is responsible for research, training,and communication).Source: SEWA , 2008 (www.sewa.org).GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR CHALLENGEDWhen governments fail to uphold core labour rights, it is often forpolitical reasons, not economic ones. Faced with powerful businesselites who fear trade union activity, governments frequently areunable to resist pressure to use repression rather than foster negotiations.The low political priority accorded such rights means thatgovernment labour inspectors are poorly funded, often ineffective,and sometimes corrupt, taking bribes in exchange for turning a blindeye to abuse. Labour legislation is often outdated and discriminatory,providing governments with a poor tool for promoting rights.What is more, in the absence of effective regulation and enforcement,individual companies find it hard to forego the competitiveadvantage they gain through violating rights, even when it undercutsthe long-term stability needed for sustained growth. The global freefor-allfostered by deregulation and flexibilisation erodes the will ofthose companies that do wish to respect rights.A combination of effective states and active citizenship is neededto meet these challenges. Strong, independent trade unions withpolitical clout can balance the overbearing influence that businessassociations often wield. That allows governments sufficient autonomyto ensure that the legislative framework and state policy encourage163