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Unpacking the Category of Migrant Workers in Trade Union Research: A Multi-Level Approach to Migrant Intersectionalities

Author

Listed:
  • Maite Tapia

    (Michigan State University, USA)

  • Gabriella Alberti

    (Leeds University Business School, UK)

Abstract

This article reflects on the theoretical and empirical challenges that arise when researching trade union strategies towards migrant workers. By bringing together the debates on migration and intersectionality in Employment Relations, the authors highlight the problems of conflating different experiences of migrants under a homogenous view of the ‘migrant worker’ and rather suggest to (1) take account of ‘migrant intersectionalities’ – including the category of migration status among other categorical differences in the workforce, and (2) to do so at different levels of the analysis (micro, meso and macro). This multi-level, intersectional approach we argue leads to a more nuanced understanding of the realities of migration at a time of major societal challenges for organized labour.

Suggested Citation

  • Maite Tapia & Gabriella Alberti, 2019. "Unpacking the Category of Migrant Workers in Trade Union Research: A Multi-Level Approach to Migrant Intersectionalities," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 33(2), pages 314-325, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:33:y:2019:i:2:p:314-325
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017018780589
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rutvica Andrijasevic & Devi Sacchetto, 2016. "From labour migration to labour mobility? The return of the multinational worker in Europe," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 22(2), pages 219-231, May.
    2. Ian Fitzgerald & Jane Hardy, 2010. "‘Thinking Outside the Box’? Trade Union Organizing Strategies and Polish Migrant Workers in the United Kingdom," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 48(1), pages 131-150, March.
    3. repec:sae:mrxval:v:38:y:2004:i:3:p:970-1001 is not listed on IDEAS
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    5. Pannini, Elisa, 2023. "Winning a battle against the odds: a cleaners’ campaign," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 112569, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    11. Pranita Kulkarni & Amrita Datta, 2024. "Trade Unions in Contemporary India: Revitalisation Strategies and Migrant Workers," Indian Journal of Human Development, , vol. 18(1), pages 90-106, April.

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