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The fragmenting occupation of labour inspection and the degradation of regulatory and enforcement work inside the British state

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  • Stephen Mustchin
  • Miguel Martínez Lucio

Abstract

While union presence and joint regulation of work and employment has declined, the state maintains a key role in directly regulating employment standards in areas including health and safety, minimum wage enforcement and subcontracting. Based on an empirical study of enforcement agencies in Britain, this article argues that the nature of regulatory work and its reshaping by both exogenous and endogenous pressures ultimately influences the impact of regulation itself and how it is enforced. Major shifts in the skills, knowledge and networks critical to the nature of labour inspection work parallel developments within the workplaces they are responsible for regulating.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen Mustchin & Miguel Martínez Lucio, 2023. "The fragmenting occupation of labour inspection and the degradation of regulatory and enforcement work inside the British state," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 44(2), pages 526-546, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:44:y:2023:i:2:p:526-546
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X221078337
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Stephen Mustchin, 2014. "Union modernisation, coalitions and vulnerable work in the construction sector in Britain," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(2), pages 121-136, March.
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