Review of a New Textbook on International Labour Law D.K. Bekyashev International Labour Law: textbook. Moscow, TK Welby, Publishing house “Prospekt”, 2008. 336 p.

Abstract

In the international law literature there appeared a new book “International Labour Law” written by Damir K. Bekyashev, an associate professor of the International Law Department in the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Affairs (University), Ph.D in Law. The book under review is the first book in Russia where the author covers in a systematic way key issues of international labour law as an autonomous branch of international public law. The book is comprised of four chapters, a bibliography, and five appendices. Chapter 1 contains the fundamentals of the international labour law theory. Chapter 2 is devoted to the International Labour Organization (ILO), its legal status, structure, general directions of its activity, as well as the ILO cooperation with other international organizations. In chapter 3 the author examines the issues of international protection of labour rights, international legal regulation of labour of separate categories of workers including migrant workers, the participation of the Russian Federation in this process. In chapter 4 the author analyzes legal regulation of labour of international organizations officials, the UN Administrative Tribunal, as well as the ILO Administrative Tribunal.The book under review is quite interesting and necessary; it is prepared on a high professional level. The manner of delivering the material is that of a full-fledged scholar, simultaneously quite simple and easy for understanding.However, one cannot do without a number of comments and wishes to be expressed. The author of the book should have paid more attention to the methodology adding tables and schemes, which could be used in lectures and seminars. Tests on international labour law would also have been advantageous for the book. The author could have placed questions and other assignments for students at the end of each chapter, and he could have formulated topics for course papers and diploma papers at the very end of the book. The reviewer wishes the author would prepare a sound monograph on one of the international labour law institutes. In 2004 Damir K. Bekyashev already had a monograph published on the labour of seafarers and fishermen. However, four years have passed since; lots of new documents have been adopted in the sphere of international legal regulation of labour of different categories of workers in the World Ocean. Besides, there exists an urgent need for a special work devoted to the labour of migrant workers.