The governance architecture of transnational labor regulation

Working conditions in a global context reveal a dramatic reality for workers in the Global South. In conjunction with the prevailing process of capital accumulation and economic growth and the new forms of poverty that accompany it, some contributions generate the image of an unregulated world of labor relations and a powerless workforce. Either the weaknesses and gaps in cross-border labor regulation are used to outline an almost insoluble problem, or a return to the salvation of the nation state is called for. The reaction to this view often leads to an exchange of blows and results in a dichotomous debate. Instead, this article sheds light on the historical complexities of national to transnational labor regulation, from the establishment of the first international trade union secretariats to modern multi-stakeholder agreements. Based on a historical analysis, this article argues that a gradual institutionalization can be observed over 130 years, while revealing a complex transnational regime-like governance architecture. Drawing on the Ecology approach, a framework is developed to capture this complex structure. It is shown that, despite the expansion of governance structures, there is a lack of legitimized control, sanction and enforcement mechanisms to comprehensively counteract labor rights violations.