Garment homework in Argentina: Drawing together the threads of informal and precarious work. (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burchielli, Rosaria; Delaney, Annie; Goren, Nora
• Other Names: Burgess John guest-editor.; Cameron Roslyn guest-editor.; Rainnie Al guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Economic and labour relations review. Volume 25:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 80
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: Argentina -- garment homework -- informal work -- precarious work; Australia -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Industrial relations -- Australia -- Periodicals; Economics -- Periodicals; Industrial relations -- Periodicals; 331
• DOI: 10.1177/1035304613518476
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1035-3046

Abstract

This article explores and applies Kalleberg's concept and dimensions of precarious work in relation to garment homework in Argentina. Although precarious work exists across formal and informal employment, its nature and dimensions are most commonly researched in relation to formal work in developed economies where the loss of standard conditions can be documented. Similarly, homework is most usually discussed as a category of informal work, in the context of developing countries, within which precariousness is one among numerous aspects of adverse job quality. Applying the concept of precariousness enables homework to be assessed systematically against specific labour standards, yielding a more powerful analysis than reference to a general deficit. This may increase our understanding of homework especially with regard to addressing labour standards.