Vulnerable Workers

The health, safety and well being of vulnerable workers in precarious work situations, especially in times of economic crisis, is a huge issue and a major research area. Leading academic authorities contributing to this book have been involved in major studies carried out for international organisations, individual governments, and national trades' union organisations.Chapters in Vulnerable Workers consider the growth of job insecurity, the prevalence of flexible or temporary work, and the emergence of precarious forms of self-employment. Contributions focus on the new market economies of post-communist Eastern Europe and on China, where it is perceived that economic development is occurring at the expense of workers' lives and health. 'Misclassification' is an issue in the US, whereby employers improperly classify workers as contractors, thereby denying them access to rights. Other chapters deal with the plight of migrant, transient and 'invisible' workers; on the impact of supply chain business strategies on the most vulnerable workers; and on the complex relationships between levels of job security and the presence of different kinds of risks.There are findings here concerning responses to the challenges highlighted. The role of employee representatives is examined, together with the potential to enhance worker capability through organisational change. New legislative approaches, and changes to traditional compensation and social security systems are considered.Academics and researchers in the fields of health and safety, labour law and industrial relations; policy makers; regulators; trades unionists; occupational health professionals; and wise employers will find use for this book.