More strikers, fewer strikes

Press, 13 April 1984, Page 21

More strikers, fewer strikes

While the downward trend in the number of industrial disputes experienced in the world in recent years continued through 1982, there was an increase i»» the number of strikers and working days lost compared to 1981. These findings emerge from a wealth of statistical data on industrial unrest collated in the Genevabased International Labour Organisation’s latest edition of the “Year Book of Labour Statistics” and which are based on responses to an annual request from the 1.L.0. addressed to governments of all member States. Replies were received from 46 countries.

In 1982, there were 15 per cent fewer strikes but 5 per cent more workers were involved in industrial

disputes than in 1981 — an increase from 18.5 million to 19.4 million. At the same time, working days lost as a result of strikes increased by 11 per cent from 82 million to 92 million. However, there was a significant difference of trend between the industrialised and the developing countries. In 18 O.E.C.D. countries that have provided data on strikes, the number of strikes went down by 15 per cent — from 13,000 in 1981 to 11,000 in 1982. The number of strikers increased by 8 per cent — from 15.0 million to 16.2 million. Working days lost went up by only 5 per cent — from 37 million to 39 million.

The manufacturing sector accounted for 52 per cent of total working days lost, construction for 11 per cent, communities, social, and personal services 11 per cent, and transport, storage, and communication 10 per cent. Corresponding figures for other

sectors are as follows: mining and quarrying (4 per cent), agriculture (3 per cent), insurance, real estate and business services (4 per cent), trade, restaurants and hotels (4 per cent), electricity, gas and water services (1 per cent). In the 28 other countries — mainly developing ones — the number of strikes went down by 15 per cent. There was a decrease of 9 per cent in the number of strikers (from 3.5 to 3.2 million), but a significant increase of as much as 17 per cent in the number of working days lost, from 45 million to 53 million.

Consequently, if in industrialised countries average working days lost per striker went down from 5.8 to 4.0, in the other countries it went up from 6.0 to 11.0. Those countries with the longest duration of strikes include Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, India, Ireland, Mali, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela.