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Lerche, Jens (2011) The Unfree Labour Category and Unfree Labour Estimates: A Continuum within Low-End Labour Relations. Manchester: Manchester Papers in Political Economy , CSPE.

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Abstract

The article argues against the singling out of unfree labour as something wholly unique and entirely separate and different from other labour relations. Existing dichotomous approaches to free–unfree labour hinder a proper understanding of these labour relations, both theoretically and empirically. It argues that the way in which both mainstream and Marxist approaches conceptualise and operationalise unfree/forced labour is problematic and proposes replacing the unfree-free dichotomy with a continuum of unfreedoms. Such unfreedoms should be understood as one among many ‘un-decent’ forms and aspects of labour relations. All of these can be understood as outcomes of the class struggle from above, which in today’s world is part and parcel of neo-liberalism. The discussion is informed by examples primarily from India and China.

Item Type: Monographs and Working Papers (Working Paper)
SOAS Departments & Centres: Departments and Subunits > Department of Development Studies
Legacy Departments > Faculty of Law and Social Sciences > Department of Development Studies
ISBN: 17560837
Copyright Statement: The author
Date Deposited: 05 Feb 2013 11:43
URI: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/id/eprint/14855

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