Abstract
How and when do intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) promote incorporation of international norms in domestic politics? In this article, I assess the impact of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on national labour regulations. I advance a new argument regarding how and when labour regulations are shaped by the ILO. More specifically, I argue that the ILO can shape labour regulations during the preparatory process of international labour standards. I theorize that the preparatory period of international labour conventions constitutes a propitious condition for mechanisms of elite socialisation, learning and domestic mobilisation. To test our argument, we focus on national dismissal regulations covering the period 1970-2013. The findings provide evidence in line with my argument that states improve their regulations during the adoption process. However, I find no evidence that states improve their regulations after formal adoption. The results have substantive implications for our understanding of IGOs and labor standards in particular.
Highlights
How and when do intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) shape domestic regulations? Can IGOs shape domestic policies during the development phase of an international law or norm? The role of IGOs as shapers of domestic laws and policies is well established in the international relations (IR) and international law (IL) literatures
I argued that the International Labour Organization (ILO) can influence domestic labour regulations already during the preparatory process of conventions
I theorised that the adoption process creates propitious conditions for the ILO Office to socialise elites and increase learning opportunities and for domestic groups to mobilise for their issues
Summary
How and when do intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) shape domestic regulations? Can IGOs shape domestic policies during the development phase of an international law or norm? The role of IGOs as shapers of domestic laws and policies is well established in the international relations (IR) and international law (IL) literatures. Drawing on previous studies and interviews with senior ILO staff, I theorise that the ILO can shape national labour regulations during the adoption period through the mechanisms of elite socialisation, learning and domestic mobilisation. C158 was formally adopted by the ILO in 1982 and requires national labour regulations that protect workers from unjust dismissals by their employers.
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