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Dead men working: time and space in London's (`illegal') migrant economy

Author

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  • Ali Nobil Ahmad

    (European University Institute, Firenze, Italy, ali.ahmad@eui.eu)

Abstract

This article explores human smuggling's consequences through a study of London's Pakistani immigrant economy, paying particular attention to the labour process and its experiential dimensions.The latter are unpacked in empirical context with due reference to literatures on illegal migration, as well as more recent writings on employment and `precariousness' that seek to make sense of the changing nature of work patterns under post-Fordist `flexible' regimes in the new global economy. All newly migrated (and some British born) Pakistanis working in ethnic economies endure long hours, poor working conditions, low pay and a general context of insecurity that is distinct from the unionized labour process that prevailed under Fordism. Smuggled migrants tend to deal with a specific set of constraints, however, including added material and psychological burdens stemming from the higher cost of migration and an inability to achieve `structural' embeddedness.

Suggested Citation

  • Ali Nobil Ahmad, 2008. "Dead men working: time and space in London's (`illegal') migrant economy," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 22(2), pages 301-318, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:22:y:2008:i:2:p:301-318
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017008089106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert Kloosterman & Joanne Van Der Leun & Jan Rath, 1999. "Mixed Embeddedness: (In)formal Economic Activities and Immigrant Businesses in the Netherlands," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(2), pages 252-266, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maciej Beręsewicz & Dagmara Nikulin, 2018. "Informal employment in Poland: an empirical spatial analysis," Spatial Economic Analysis, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(3), pages 338-355, July.
    2. Colin C. Williams, 2013. "Evaluating cross-national variations in the extent and nature of informal employment in the European Union," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(5-6), pages 479-494, November.
    3. Dotti Nicola Francesco & Van Heur Bas & Williams Colin C., 2015. "Mapping the Shadow Economy: Spatial Variations in the use of High Denomination Bank Notes in Brussels," European Spatial Research and Policy, Sciendo, vol. 22(1), pages 5-21, June.
    4. Williams Colin C., 2014. "Explaining Cross-National Variations in the Prevalence and Character of Undeclared Employment in the European Union," European Spatial Research and Policy, Sciendo, vol. 21(2), pages 115-131, December.
    5. Lovanirina Ramboarison-Lalao & Chris Brewster, 2018. "Theorizing Career Success for Low Status Migrants," John H Dunning Centre for International Business Discussion Papers jhd-dp2018-02, Henley Business School, University of Reading.
    6. Colin C. Williams & Friedrich Schneider, 2016. "Measuring the Global Shadow Economy," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 16551.
    7. Olawale Fatoki, 2018. "Work-Life Conflict of Native and Immigrant Entrepreneurs in South Africa," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 10(4), pages 174-184.
    8. Ferrer-i-Carbonell, Ada & Gërxhani, Klarita, 2016. "Tax evasion and well-being: A study of the social and institutional context in Central and Eastern Europe," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 45(S), pages 149-159.
    9. Kenneth Horvath, 2014. "Policing the Borders of the 'Centaur State': Deportation, Detention, and Neoliberal Transformation Processes—The Case of Austria," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 2(3), pages 113-123.
    10. Colin C. Williams & Youssef Youssef, 2014. "Combating Informal Employment in Latin America: A Critical Evaluation of the Neo-Liberal Policy Approach," Research in World Economy, Research in World Economy, Sciedu Press, vol. 5(2), pages 1-13, September.
    11. Williams Colin & Nadin Sara & Windebank Jan, 2012. "Evaluating the Prevalence and Nature of Self-Employment in the Informal Economy: Evidence From a 27-Nation European Survey," European Spatial Research and Policy, Sciendo, vol. 19(1), pages 129-142, July.

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