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Problematising the interplay between employment relations, migration and mobility

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jenny Rodriguez, Dr Lesley Mearns

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Abstract

Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE Purpose: The paper aims to introduce the special issue by problematising labour agency, precariousness, and labour fragmentation as defining themes of the interplay between employment relations, migration and mobility. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing from discussions about the impact of globalisation on changes in features of work and employment, and bringing together theory and research on employment relations and labour migration; the paper discusses the relational spatial and temporal nature of agency; the diverse features of worker experiences of precariousness, and the resulting fragmentation in labour solidarity. Findings: Labour agency, precariousness and labour fragmentation intersect to create the axis of dynamics of hardship and abuse that dominate work experiences of migrant workers in the global labour market. Globalisation has a pervasive impact in articulating and perpetuating systemic processes of closure, entrapment and containment, which are triggered by migration and legitimised by dynamics of employment relations. Originality/value: The paper contributes to current discussions about the interplay between migration, mobility and employment relations and sets out future directions of research to enhance our understanding the role of employment relations to perpetuate, legitimise and normalise dynamics of globalisation that promote the migrant division of labour and create contradictory labour demands and displacements in the global labour market.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Rodriguez JK, Mearns L

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Employee Relations

Year: 2012

Volume: 34

Issue: 6

Pages: 580-593

Date deposited: 28/07/2012

ISSN (print): 0142-5455

ISSN (electronic): 1758-7069

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01425451211267946

DOI: 10.1108/01425451211267946


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