Migrant precariat and the frames of solidarity - possibilities and constraints for transversal collective action

Abstract

The project deals with the relations between social movements, trade unions and disadvantaged groups of migrant workers on the labour market. These groups could also be denominated as the precariat. More specifically the focus is set on irregular immigrants, discriminated workers and seasonal guest workers. The primary target for the project is to explore the ways actors in the civil society manage to build supportive relations to these groups of workers and other organisations in the field. The project is guided by the overarching research question: What are the possibilities and constraints for civil society organisations to establish and maintain transversal relations with disadvantaged groups of migrant workers and their organisations? The task is thus, on the one hand, to investigate how trade unions take on these new challenges within their field and to explore: the new strategies developed by the trade unions; and their collaborations with new social movements organisations. On the other hand, the project centres on new social movements’ collaborations with neighbouring actors, their articulations of the problems; and their strategies to provide solutions to the problems.

Keywords

Civil society, Informal/irregular, Labour standards/rights, Partnership, Trade Unions

Publications

Ålund, Aleksandra, Mesic Nedzad, Kings Lisa & Dahlstedt, Magnus (2013). Framing the mobilization of migrants in Sweden. Migration Letters. Sept 2013 Volume: 10, No: 3, pp. 277-287 ISSN: 1741-8984 & eISSN: 1741-8992.

Mesic, N. and A. Ålund (2011) “Asymmetric Partnership; Migrant organisations, Trade unions and Equality Ombudsman”. Revija za sociologiju. Vol 41. No 1. pp.51-76.