Precarious work
Confronting the inequalities of precarious work
Outsourcing, subcontracting and the use of private employment agencies results in fewer permanent jobs and threatens workers’ rights. The nature of precarious work, trade union responses and the current debate on the subject at the ILO are examined in this IMF Special Report.
BY RON BLUM & KAREN BALKE Permanent full-time jobs and the basic security they provide workers and their families are under constant pressure around the world. It comes in part from employers adopting labour practices and governments imposing laws that put vast numbers of people’s livelihoods, jobs and working conditions in a precarious state. Transnational companies’ drive to reduce their permanent workforces to a minimum, while governments de-regulate and weaken labour and social protections, has led to a lack of security not just for temporary contract workers, but for all workers. Outsourcing, subcontracting, the use of private employment agencies, labour brokers and daily hire, all contribute to excluding workers from positions of permanent employment and consigning them to the growing ranks of precarious work. It is not just a matter of whether a worker will have a job the next day or next month; precarious jobs often mean dangerous working conditions, and for millions of workers, a complete lack of labour and social protections. ...Download the pdf-file (right hand column) to access the full story with illustrations.Jun 02, 2006 – Alex Ivanou
