One of the most important components of the global context for IHRM is employment law and regulation. This chapter is about employment law and labor standards and ethics in the global economy. International standards, national trade agreements, commercial diplomacy efforts with governments, and varying country laws and cultures all impact how MNEs must operate. National, supranational, and extra-territorial laws have varying legal and regulatory impacts on nation states and their actors (firms, labor organizations, regulatory bodies, and individuals). And, finally, moving beyond a pure concern with compliance with the law, there is growing legal and public concern with MNEs showing ethical conduct in their relationships with all of their stakeholders, being responsible corporate citizens, and establishing transparent corporate governance mechanisms. Failure to comply with local employment laws and any regional or international employment standards that apply can carry liabilities at many levels, including, legal andnancial liabilities, and can include the potential consequences of negative employee and public opinion, stockholder unrest, consumer dissatisfaction, and hostile local governments.
             Seven general areas discussed in this chapter are 1) the general legal context in differing countries; 2) international employment law and enforcement; 3) comparative employment law; 4) extraterritorial application of national law; 5) enforcement of national law to local foreign-owned enterprises; 6) immigration law; and 7) international labor standards and ethics.
             Describe the three major legal systems and their key differences.
             Describe international labor law and standards and explain their impacts.
             List and describe the goals of the various international trade agreements.
             Describe how EU directives impact IHRM.
             Identify the major issues impacting IHRM with regard to immigration/visas, personal data protection, anti-discrimination...