Overview

This work analyzes the social impact of the Asian financial crisis and its policy implications. It documents the severe rise in unemployment and its repercussions in the worst-affected countries (the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia) and how this has, to a varying extent, overwhelmed the underdeveloped systems of social protection. It argues that, in light of this experience, urgent action is required both to relieve current social distress and to strengthen systems of social protection. A central policy message is that current programs of policy and institutional reform have to include a basic rethinking of the social dimension of the future model of development. A new social contract, based on full respect for basic labour rights, democracy, and greater social protection needs to be forged. The book argues the case for the introduction of unemployment insurance, the expansion of social assistance, and the strengthening of active labour market policies. The policy issues raised are of relevance not only to the crisis-affected Asian countries but also to other emerging economies that are facing similar challenges in an era of rapid economic and financial globalization.

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9789221108504

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Reviews

"""...this is a concise but thought-provoking and timely work. The author's alternative thinking provides a frame of reference to challenge dominant thinking in terms of economy and development. Readers who are interested in industrial relations or social security reform or who are practitioners in labour movements or trade unions will find this book intriguing and invaluable."" Work, Employment & Society, Vol. 13, December 1999"

...this is a concise but thought-provoking and timely work. The author's alternative thinking provides a frame of reference to challenge dominant thinking in terms of economy and development. Readers who are interested in industrial relations or social security reform or who are practitioners in labour movements or trade unions will find this book intriguing and invaluable. Work, Employment & Society, Vol. 13, December 1999

Author Information

Eddy Lee is a fellow with the International Institute for Labor Studies at the International Labor Office.

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