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Unfree Wage Labour.

Authors :
Breznik, Maja
Source :
Critical Sociology (Sage Publications, Ltd.). Nov2023, Vol. 49 Issue 7/8, p1125-1139. 15p.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

The article develops the concept of 'unfree wage labour' that refers to a situation in which a worker must (temporarily and conditionally) give away possession of his labour power to a third party who then sells it to the buyers of labour power. From the perspective of contract freedom and legal equality, it seems irrelevant whether a worker sells his or her labour power to an employer or to an intermediary. However, there is no doubt that labour intermediation increases the economic dependence and social subordination of workers. First, given that the intermediary negotiates with the employer, the worker has a lower ability to influence the terms of employment. Second, given that he or she is a contract worker, they have a lower ability to engage in collective action in the company. Undoubtedly, this worker has significantly lower control over her or his working and living conditions. The question arises whether his or her contract freedom lessened to the extent that we can speak of unfree wage labour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
08969205
Volume :
49
Issue :
7/8
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Critical Sociology (Sage Publications, Ltd.)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
173100299
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/08969205231152914