730-401 Labour Rights in International Law

Legal Method and Reasoning; Principles of Public Law; Torts; Legal Theory or in each case their equivalents.

While some knowledge of international, labour and/or human rights law would be helpful, none of these is a prerequisite. Students who are unsure about whether to enrol should feel free to contact the subject coordinator in advance.

The subject aims to familiarise students with the key elements of the international legal system for the protection and promotion of the rights of workers and organised labour. Students will be introduced to the core labour standards that protect workers' basic rights: freedom of association and bargaining, non-discrimination in employment, and freedom from forced labour and harmful child labour. The subject will examine the sources of international labour law and the institutional structures for its development and oversight. These include the International Labour Organisation, the human rights institutions of the Council of Europe, and the law-making powers of the European Union. We will consider theories of international labour regulation and the recent proliferation of international labour laws. This will include the role of non-state actors in both the development and enforcement of international labour law. An important part of this aspect will be to consider the relationship of international labour law to human rights law generally, and to international trade and economic law, including the roles of the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. We will conclude by considering the impact of international labour law on domestic legal systems, including Australia in particular.

Note: The essay in this subject is regarded as a substantial piece of legal writing for honours purposes.

Reflective essay 1000 words 20% (due mid semester) and research essay 4000 words 80% (due end of semester).

Printed materials will be issued by the Faculty of Law.