View Specification DocumentWorkers' Rights and Global Trade LAW4229
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Law
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course provides an advanced level investigation into contemporary issues, theories and debates concerning labour and the world of work from a supranational and international perspective. Participants will be invited to critically reflect on the challenges to protect workers' rights beyond national borders. The course will first present the broader context, addressing the relevance and impact of international labour law principles and norms on governments, businesses, workers and their trade unions. The course will then focus on selected areas of concern such as collective labour rights and the international protection of the right to strike, working conditions in global value chains, labour exploitation and modern slavery, decent work for vulnerable workers, migration and labour in a global economy and just transitions.
Timetable
10 x 2 hour seminars delivered throughout the semester.
Requirements of Entry
This course is open to LLB students (Scots Law and Common Law) and visiting students.
Excluded Courses
None.
Co-requisites
None.
Assessment
Assessment 1 (Essay: 25%)
Students will submit a 1500-word essay, worth 25% of the final grade.
Assessment 2 (Exam: 75%)
There will a 90 minute exam, worth 75% of the final grade.
Main Assessment In: April/May
Course Aims
1. To introduce participants to some of the contemporary debates concerning the protection of labour rights at the supranational and international level
2. To place recent development of labour law and industrial relations concepts and practices at international and transnational level in theoretical, historical and political context
3. To enhance participants' critical legal thinking skills by providing them with structured opportunities to discuss complex theoretical and practical labour law issues arising in the context of globalisation
4. To enhance the students' understanding of some current issues in labour law taking place at international and transnational level
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
1. Evaluate the theoretical and legal frameworks governing the protection of workers' rights at the supranational and international level, with reference to the interests of governments, businesses, workers and trade unions.
2. Critique the role of international labour law norms in addressing exploitation, vulnerability and inequality in the globalised world of work.
3. Assess the adequacy of existing legal and regulatory responses to selected contemporary challenges (including, as an example, labour rights in global value chains, exploitation and modern slavery, migration and just transition) with reference to relevant international instruments and policy debates.