Skip to main content
Top

2022 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

10. Wither Labor and Human Rights? Precarious Work and Informal Economies in the Post- COVID-19 Global South

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

This dialogue occurred between Neetha and me in May 2020, while we discussed a workshop scheduled for July 2020. The funding to organize the workshop (one of three) was provided in January 2020 and the grant was advertised before the world had any inclination of COVID-19. Thus, the funds were to be spent only on proposed activities with no flexibility. However, the pandemic caused the funding agency to be more flexible—allowing meetings to take place via zoom (as opposed to face-to-face) and some changes regarding budgeted expenses.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Footnotes
1
“Near Shoring” refers to production lines strategically moved to markets in Turkey, Eastern Europe, and North Africa to cater to the European market and Mexico to cater to the North American market.
 
Literature
go back to reference Barrientos, S. Labour Chains: Analysing the Role of Labour Contractors in Global Production Networks. Journal of Development Studies 49(8):1058–1071. 2013.CrossRef Barrientos, S. Labour Chains: Analysing the Role of Labour Contractors in Global Production Networks. Journal of Development Studies 49(8):1058–1071. 2013.CrossRef
go back to reference Clean Clothes Campaign. COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pretext to Roll Back Sri Lankan Garment Workers’ Rights. 2021a. https://file:///C:/Users/Sandya/Downloads/Sri_Lanka_Brief_March_2021%20(4).pdf. Clean Clothes Campaign. COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pretext to Roll Back Sri Lankan Garment Workers’ Rights. 2021a. https://​file:///C:/Users/Sandya/Downloads/Sri_Lanka_Brief_March_2021%20(4).pdf.
go back to reference Cross, Jamie. Detachment as a Corporate Ethic: Materializing CSR in the Diamond Supply Chain. Focaal: Journal of Global and Historical Anthropology 60:34–46. 2011. Cross, Jamie. Detachment as a Corporate Ethic: Materializing CSR in the Diamond Supply Chain. Focaal: Journal of Global and Historical Anthropology 60:34–46. 2011.
go back to reference Dabindu Collective. Living for the Day: Contract Workers in Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones. Nugegoda: NEO Graphics, 2017. Dabindu Collective. Living for the Day: Contract Workers in Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones. Nugegoda: NEO Graphics, 2017.
go back to reference De Neve, Geert. Global Garment Chains, Local Labour Activism: New Challenges to Trade Union and NGO Activism in the Tiruppur Garment Cluster, South India, in G. De Neve, L. Peter, J. Pratt, and D.C. Wood (eds), Hidden Hands in the Market: Ethnographies of Fair Trade, Ethical Consumption, and Corporate Social Responsibility (Research in Economic Anthropology, Vol. 28), pp. 213–240, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0190-1281(08)28010-8. De Neve, Geert. Global Garment Chains, Local Labour Activism: New Challenges to Trade Union and NGO Activism in the Tiruppur Garment Cluster, South India, in G. De Neve, L. Peter, J. Pratt, and D.C. Wood (eds), Hidden Hands in the Market: Ethnographies of Fair Trade, Ethical Consumption, and Corporate Social Responsibility (Research in Economic Anthropology, Vol. 28), pp. 213–240, 2008. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1016/​S0190-1281(08)28010-8.
go back to reference De Neve, Geert and Rebecca Prentice (eds). Unmaking the Global Sweatshop: Health and Safety of the World’s Garment Workers. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2017. De Neve, Geert and Rebecca Prentice (eds). Unmaking the Global Sweatshop: Health and Safety of the World’s Garment Workers. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2017.
go back to reference DeVotta, Neil. Ethnoreligious Nationalism and Autocratization in Sri Lanka, in Sten Widmalm (ed), Routledgehandbook of Autocratization in South Asia. London: Routledge, 2021. DeVotta, Neil. Ethnoreligious Nationalism and Autocratization in Sri Lanka, in Sten Widmalm (ed), Routledgehandbook of Autocratization in South Asia. London: Routledge, 2021.
go back to reference Fazlulhaq, N. Chaos as Thousands Crowd Transport Home for Free Trade Zone Workers. The Sunday Times. 2020 (Accessed March 29, 2020). Fazlulhaq, N. Chaos as Thousands Crowd Transport Home for Free Trade Zone Workers. The Sunday Times. 2020 (Accessed March 29, 2020).
go back to reference Financial Times (Lanka edition). Apparel Appeals to Government for Swift Support. 2020. ft.lk/front-page/Apparel-appeals-to-Govt-for-swift-support/44-698740 (Accessed April 10, 2020). Financial Times (Lanka edition). Apparel Appeals to Government for Swift Support. 2020. ft.lk/front-page/Apparel-appeals-to-Govt-for-swift-support/44-698740 (Accessed April 10, 2020).
go back to reference Goger, A. Ethical Branding in Sri Lanka: A Case Study of Garments Without Guilt, in J. Bair, M. Dickson and D. Miller (eds), Workers’ Rights and Labor Compliance in Global Supply Chains: Is a Social Label the Answer? London: Routledge, 2014. Goger, A. Ethical Branding in Sri Lanka: A Case Study of Garments Without Guilt, in J. Bair, M. Dickson and D. Miller (eds), Workers’ Rights and Labor Compliance in Global Supply Chains: Is a Social Label the Answer? London: Routledge, 2014.
go back to reference Hewamanne, Sandya. Stitching Identities in a Free Trade Zone: Gender and Politics in Sri Lanka. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2008.CrossRef Hewamanne, Sandya. Stitching Identities in a Free Trade Zone: Gender and Politics in Sri Lanka. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2008.CrossRef
go back to reference Hewamanne, Sandya. Negotiating Sexual Meanings: Global Discourses, Local Practices and Free Trade Zone workers on City Streets. Ethnography 13(3): 352–374. 2012.CrossRef Hewamanne, Sandya. Negotiating Sexual Meanings: Global Discourses, Local Practices and Free Trade Zone workers on City Streets. Ethnography 13(3): 352–374. 2012.CrossRef
go back to reference Hewamanne, Sandya. Sri Lanka’s Global Factory Workers: (Un)Disciplined Desires and Sexual Struggles in a Post-Colonial Society. London: Routledge, 2016.CrossRef Hewamanne, Sandya. Sri Lanka’s Global Factory Workers: (Un)Disciplined Desires and Sexual Struggles in a Post-Colonial Society. London: Routledge, 2016.CrossRef
go back to reference Hewamanne, Sandya. Health and Safety for Ten Hours Plus: Why CSR Policies Are Not Successful as Envisioned, in Geert De Neve and Rebecca Prentice (eds), Unmaking the Global Sweatshop: Health and Safety of the World’s Garment Workers. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2017. Hewamanne, Sandya. Health and Safety for Ten Hours Plus: Why CSR Policies Are Not Successful as Envisioned, in Geert De Neve and Rebecca Prentice (eds), Unmaking the Global Sweatshop: Health and Safety of the World’s Garment Workers. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2017.
go back to reference Hewamanne, Sandya. Sewing Their Way Up the Social Ladder? Paths to Social Mobility and Empowerment Among Sri Lanka’s Global Factory Workers. Third World Quarterly 39(11):2173–2187. 2018.CrossRef Hewamanne, Sandya. Sewing Their Way Up the Social Ladder? Paths to Social Mobility and Empowerment Among Sri Lanka’s Global Factory Workers. Third World Quarterly 39(11):2173–2187. 2018.CrossRef
go back to reference Hewamanne, Sandya. From Global Workers to Local Entrepreneurs: Former Global Factory Workers in Rural Sri Lanka. Third World Quarterly 41(3). 2019. Hewamanne, Sandya. From Global Workers to Local Entrepreneurs: Former Global Factory Workers in Rural Sri Lanka. Third World Quarterly 41(3). 2019.
go back to reference Hewamanne, Sandya. Surveillance by Another Name: The Modern Slavery Act, Global Factory Workers, and Part-Time Sex Work in Sri Lanka. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 45(3). 2020a. Hewamanne, Sandya. Surveillance by Another Name: The Modern Slavery Act, Global Factory Workers, and Part-Time Sex Work in Sri Lanka. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 45(3). 2020a.
go back to reference Hewamanne, Sandya. Re-Stitching Identities in Rural Sri Lanka: Neoliberalism, Gender and Politics of Contentment. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2020b.CrossRef Hewamanne, Sandya. Re-Stitching Identities in Rural Sri Lanka: Neoliberalism, Gender and Politics of Contentment. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2020b.CrossRef
go back to reference Hewamanne, Sandya. Pandemic, Lockdown and Modern Slavery Among Sri Lanka’s Global Assembly Line Workers. Journal of International Women’s Studies 22(1):54–69. 2021a. Hewamanne, Sandya. Pandemic, Lockdown and Modern Slavery Among Sri Lanka’s Global Assembly Line Workers. Journal of International Women’s Studies 22(1):54–69. 2021a.
go back to reference Hewamanne, Sandya. Global Worker Protests, and Tools of Autocratization in Sri Lanka: Rendering them Silent, in Sten Widmalm (ed), Routledge Handbook of Autocratization in South Asia. Routledge, 2021b. Hewamanne, Sandya. Global Worker Protests, and Tools of Autocratization in Sri Lanka: Rendering them Silent, in Sten Widmalm (ed), Routledge Handbook of Autocratization in South Asia. Routledge, 2021b.
go back to reference Mandhana, N. and M. Myo. Pandemic Crushes Garment Industry: The Developing World’s Path out of Poverty. The Wall street Journal. 2020 (Accessed July 11, 2020). Mandhana, N. and M. Myo. Pandemic Crushes Garment Industry: The Developing World’s Path out of Poverty. The Wall street Journal. 2020 (Accessed July 11, 2020).
go back to reference Nilson, P. Garment Workers in Asia Lose $6bn Wages. Financial Times (US edition, p. 10). 2020 (Accessed August 10, 2020). Nilson, P. Garment Workers in Asia Lose $6bn Wages. Financial Times (US edition, p. 10). 2020 (Accessed August 10, 2020).
go back to reference Nilson, P. Asia Garment Workers Lose 12bn Wages and Jobs, Says Labour Group. Financial Times (US edition, p. 4). July 19, 2021. Nilson, P. Asia Garment Workers Lose 12bn Wages and Jobs, Says Labour Group. Financial Times (US edition, p. 4). July 19, 2021.
go back to reference Ong, A. The Gender and Labor Politics of Postmodernity. Annual Review of Anthropology 20:279–309. 1991.CrossRef Ong, A. The Gender and Labor Politics of Postmodernity. Annual Review of Anthropology 20:279–309. 1991.CrossRef
go back to reference Preston, J. and R. Firth. Coronavirus, Class and Mutual Aid in the United Kingdom. London: Palgrave, 2020.CrossRef Preston, J. and R. Firth. Coronavirus, Class and Mutual Aid in the United Kingdom. London: Palgrave, 2020.CrossRef
go back to reference Progressive Women’s Collective. “Media Release.” Progressive Women's Collective | Facebook. July 10, 2021. Progressive Women’s Collective. “Media Release.” Progressive Women's Collective | Facebook. July 10, 2021.
go back to reference Rajak, Dinah. In Good Company: An Anatomy of Corporate Social Responsibility. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2011.CrossRef Rajak, Dinah. In Good Company: An Anatomy of Corporate Social Responsibility. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2011.CrossRef
go back to reference Ruwanpura, Kanchana. Ethical Codes: Reality and Rhetoric: A Study of Sri Lanka’s Apparel Sector. (Report) Economic and Social Research Council: University of Southampton, 2011. Ruwanpura, Kanchana. Ethical Codes: Reality and Rhetoric: A Study of Sri Lanka’s Apparel Sector. (Report) Economic and Social Research Council: University of Southampton, 2011.
go back to reference Saxena, S. Made in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka: The Labor Behind the Global Garments and Textiles Industries. New York: Cambria Press, 2014. Saxena, S. Made in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka: The Labor Behind the Global Garments and Textiles Industries. New York: Cambria Press, 2014.
Metadata
Title
Wither Labor and Human Rights? Precarious Work and Informal Economies in the Post- COVID-19 Global South
Author
Sandya Hewamanne
Copyright Year
2022
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93228-2_10