The devaluation of female labour in fruit and vegetable packaging plants in Spanish Mediterranean agriculture. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Castro, Carlos; Reigada, Alicia; Gadea, Elena
• Other Names: Böhm Steffen guest-editor.; Spierenburg Marja guest-editor.; Lang Tim guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Organization. Volume 27:Number 2(2020:Mar.)
• Page Start: 232
• Page End: 250
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Devaluation of work -- female work -- global agri-food system -- packaging plants; Organizational sociology -- Periodicals; Organization -- Periodicals; 302.35
• DOI: 10.1177/1350508419883387
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-5084

Abstract

Based on the evidence found in two case studies of intensive agriculture in Southern Spain, this article analyses the impact of business strategies aimed at devaluing packaging plant work in the competitive integration processes currently taking place in the global agri-food value chain. The article explores three business strategies: the feminisation, segmentation and deskilling of labour, along with ethnic substitution and labour recruitment outsourcing mechanisms. Although it acknowledges the importance of the dynamics of global competition, the article focuses mainly on how firms articulate their strategies in packaging plants within the political, family and sociocultural frameworks of specific local contexts. The analysis uses a qualitative methodology based on in-depth interviews and participant observations.