But government can play a positive role by transferring potentially commercial services from the public to the private sector. Trade fairs, for example, need not be organized by a government department. The contract to manage them can be offered on tender to business associations. Governments can encourage aid donors to do the same thing in relation to the management of projects, such as small enterprise development programmes. Bringing trades unions in The case for consulting with organized business applies equally to organized labour.
Trades unions are on the defensive worldwide.
They have lost membership and political influence, and are still widely viewed as obstacles to economic reform. In many developing countries, it is only public service trades unions that retain much influence. Many trades unions also feel besieged, and treating them as hostile opponents will encourage them to behave accordingly. Some countries have taken a more positive approach to trades unions. In Germany, for example, trades unions have a statutory seat on the supervisory boards that oversee the affairs of large companies.