Abstract

This book offers a vast range of grassroots perspectives on global migrant labour organisation in the twenty-first century. From workers' organisations in South African migrant worker resistance in the Gulf, from forest workers in the Czech Republic to domestic workers' structures in Hong Kong, this book brings together a wealth of lived experiences and hidden struggles for the first time.

Highlighting the changing nature of frontline struggles against exploitation, Just Work? shows that migrant workers are finding new and innovative ways of resisting neoliberal immigration measures as they are forced to fight against the precarious nature of jobs from both within and outside of traditional forms of labour organisations. With contributions from scholars and activists from around the world engaged in this resistance, this will be an accessible collection based on grassroots experiences, placed in a political economy framework.

The full list of regions explored are: South Africa, Latin America, Philippines, the Gulf Arab States, North America, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Japan, London, Nigeria, New Zealand, Canada and Switzerland.
'A distinctive and original collection'
Mark Thomas, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, York University
'This collaboration with some of the most creative like-minded thinkers from across the globe is extremely important. As labour migrancy and xenophobia are both amplified during the current stage of capitalist crisis, leaving so many more people vulnerable to super-exploitation, this book is badly needed.'
Patrick Bond, professor of political economy, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
'An important intervention in the existing scholarship on migrant worker issues ... Richly rewarding'
Labour/Le Travail
'Timely and provocative ... a smart and original contribution ... [a] unique combination of theory and illustrative case studies'
Samia Botmeh, Assistant Professor in Economics, Birzeit University, Palestine
'A fascinating read and a welcome antidote to migration scholarship that continues to disproportionately obsess over the West'
LSE Review of Books
'A valuable contribution and an important addition to the anthropology of work and migration studies. The scope of the book is impressive'
Anthropology of Work Review
'The combination of academic scholarship and activist authorship in the book provides unique insights, and gives those who are often nameless and voiceless an identity and voice'
Linda Cooper, Associate Professor, Adult Education, School of Education,University of Cape Town