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False self†employment: the case of Ukrainian migrants in London's construction sector

Author

Listed:
  • Natalia A. Vershinina
  • Peter Rodgers
  • Monder Ram
  • Nick Theodorakopoulos
  • Yulia Rodionova

Abstract

This article, presenting qualitative accounts of Ukrainian business owners, highlights how migrants engage in false self†employment in the UK. Their experiences problematise notions of legality and binary depictions of migrant workers as ‘victims or villains’, demonstrating that migrants see their illegal status as a transient stage before gaining legal status.

Suggested Citation

  • Natalia A. Vershinina & Peter Rodgers & Monder Ram & Nick Theodorakopoulos & Yulia Rodionova, 2018. "False self†employment: the case of Ukrainian migrants in London's construction sector," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(1), pages 2-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:49:y:2018:i:1:p:2-18
    DOI: 10.1111/irj.12199
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ian Clark & James Hunter & Richard Pickford & Huw Fearnall-Williams, 2022. "How do licensing regimes limit worker interests? Evidence from informal employment in Britain," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 43(1), pages 431-449, February.
    2. Iraklis Dimitriadis, 2023. "Migrants and Undeclared Employment within the European Construction Sector: Challenging Dichotomous Approaches to Workers’ Agency," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 37(5), pages 1321-1338, October.
    3. Colin C. Williams & Adnan S. Efendic, 2020. "Evaluating the Relationship Between Migration and Participation in Undeclared Work: Lessons from Bosnia and Herzegovina," Economic Alternatives, University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria, issue 4, pages 592-606, December.
    4. Ward van Zoonen & Anu E Sivunen, 2026. "Autonomy’s Mirage: How Fauxtonomy Fuels Workers’ Frustration in the Gig Economy," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 40(2), pages 314-336, April.
    5. Arslan, Ahmad & Kamara, Samppa & Tian, Anna Yumiao & Rodgers, Peter & Kontkanen, Minnie, 2024. "Marketing agility in underdog entrepreneurship: A qualitative assessment in post-conflict Sub-Saharan African context," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    6. Ian Clark, 2019. "The British Home Stores pension scheme: privatised looting?," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(4), pages 331-347, July.

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