This situation, to some extent, has resulted from the growing numbers of contracts without job security, either on a part‑time basis or of limited duration. Moreover, in a context characterised by greater inequalities, forcing workers to compete with one another leads to a levelling down of working conditions, with the best‑protected employees ultimately seeing their situation slowly deteriorate.
This kind of competition is particularly visible between those regarded as “insiders” (those benefiting from already stable contracts, usually working in highly productive sectors) and “outsiders” (those recruited on a more flexible basis, often through temporary employment agencies, and mainly working in services or outsourced production activities). The levelling down of working conditions is also linked to de facto competition from undeclared workers.
The conditions imposed on migrants, especially those in irregular or illegal situations, are particularly alarming. Their vulnerable status often forces them to take on underpaid jobs in very poor working conditions, jeopardising their health (handling dangerous chemicals with no protection, long working hours, and so on). This is occuring particularly in sectors where few certified skills are required, such as catering, construction, farm or domestic work.
In this context of the precarisation of living and working conditions, several experiences are proposing different approaches towards improving work. Below are some examples.
Pictures by Marjan Lazarevski, Brunolaon, Coroutine, Rimaflow and Inkyhack
Examples of the different types of ACTIONS (in orange) and POLICIES (in green) that seek to provide access to decent working conditions as well to rethink employment and its role in accessing resources.
Co-working
This practice consists in sharing a collaborative environment for work. Co-workers are usually self-employed workers, students or people working for different organisations that look for a space to develop their activities. It generally enables access to a desk, space for meetings, and material - the costs of which are being supported by the community of co-workers, such as high-tech equipment. It also provides a creative and inspiring environment for the people involved in the project.
Re Federico Co-working
Publié le : 2013-04-26 13:14 -Coroutine Lille
Publié le : 2013-04-19 13:18 -One person = one voice
Organisations and businesses can be structured in very different ways. Some of the structuring consists in placing workers on an equal footing. This implies enabling each worker to take part in the decision-making process and to give the same value to his/her voice. The experiences based on the principal “one person = one voice” may have different internal organisation structures. In some cases an assembly of workers meets regularly to take decisions, in others there is a rotation of tasks which means that each worker is, at a certain point, part of the administration board. The principle of equal footing is quite often being chosen by former employees who have suffered the effects of a failed enterprise. This much is evident in the experiences of Ri-Maflow in Italy, Mol-matric in Spain or Ambiance Bois in France (here, workers also decided to receive an equal wage regardless of the task being performed). The Spanish and French experiences have been on-going for more than 25 years, demonstrating in this way the sustainability (in terms of time, for instance) of these models.
- Ambiance bois, France: http://www.ambiance-bois.com/
- Molmatric, Spain : http://www.molmatric.coop/mo/
- Cooperative Marinaleda, Spain : http://www.cooperativamarinaleda.es
Solidarity Bulgaria (SB)
Publié le : 2013-08-13 14:20 -BIOME- Self-managed factory
Publié le : 2013-08-02 12:45 -Ri-Maflow
Publié le : 2013-04-16 08:04 -Limiting working hours
In societies characterised by high levels of unemployment (but also over-work, stress and low well-being) with little time for social and domestic work, limiting the working week whilst maintaining respectable wages is appearing as a path that could lead towards greater well-being for all.
- See the new economics foundation report on “21 hours: why a shorter working week can help us all to flourish in the 21st century”: http://dnwssx4l7gl7s.cloudfront.net/nefoundation/default/page/-/files/21_Hours.pdf
Separating work from access to resources
Even though the money earned from paid working activities is still the main way to access resources in European societies, it is not the only path. Other initiatives and practices propose alternative ways to access different resources.
Introducing a basic income
Publié le : 2013-05-16 14:15 -
The introduction of a basic income – now demanded by numerous movements in Europe – consists in a regular income paid by a political community to each of its members on an individual basis and unconditionally. |
For other examples, click on: Alternative Economies
Accessing dignified work
As mentioned, low-income and low-profile work are often characterised by irregular or poor working conditions. Norms and practices can help to improve the situation towards more dignified working conditions.
Business centre for people with disabilities
Publié le : 2013-08-13 15:14 -Solidarity Bulgaria (SB)
Publié le : 2013-08-13 14:20 -Association of home-based workers, Bulgaria
Publié le : 2013-08-13 13:34 -Social Training - Professional Centre
Publié le : 2013-08-13 09:37 -NGO Diogenis and its street magazine Shedia
Publié le : 2013-08-02 11:33 -Social Cohesion Clinic
Publié le : 2013-07-16 13:42 -Izlelo Family Restaurant
Publié le : 2013-06-21 09:13 -Recuperiamoci!
Publié le : 2013-05-07 12:37 -CESU
Publié le : 2013-05-16 14:20 -
Improving conditions of care and domestic workers |
All Examples of Actions and Policies
Talia
Publié le : 2013-08-30 08:47 -Business centre for people with disabilities
Publié le : 2013-08-13 15:14 -Solidarity Bulgaria (SB)
Publié le : 2013-08-13 14:20 -Association of home-based workers, Bulgaria
Publié le : 2013-08-13 13:34 -Social Training - Professional Centre
Publié le : 2013-08-13 09:37 -BIOME- Self-managed factory
Publié le : 2013-08-02 12:45 -NGO Diogenis and its street magazine Shedia
Publié le : 2013-08-02 11:33 -Intergenerational job skills training
Publié le : 2013-08-01 15:25 -Associazione Culturale Rete ONU
Publié le : 2013-07-31 13:38 -
Rete Onu is a network of profit and non-profit associations working within the field of reuse in Italy. Its aim is to represent the main actors of reuse and flea markets, and to promote the sector in a way that builds job opportunities within a framework of positive environmental impact and social inclusion |
Challenges
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