Mapping the structural factors of precarity in the food production chain: The case of Central and Eastern European migrant workers in Western Europe

Description

The working conditions of Central and Eastern European migrant workers in low-skilled sectors of Western Europe are often characterized by precarity. Precarious working conditions are particularly prevalent in the essential industries of the food production chain, encompassing the horticulture, food processing and warehouse distribution sectors (Hopkins et al., 2016; Rye & Andrzejewska, 2010; Scott, 2017). In the wake of Covid-19, Central and Eastern European migrant workers in these sectors were confronted with layoffs, uncertain housing and unsafe work conditions, which highlighted their vulnerability in the labour market (Guadagno, 2020). This study explores the structural factors that influence the working conditions of Central and Eastern European migrant workers in the food production chain during Covid-19. This paper adopts a multi-method research design. First, this study draws on a systematic review of the literature carried out in four databases (Web of Science, EBSCOhost, Scopus, ProQuest), resulting in 50 peer-reviewed journal articles reflecting on the structural factors shaping Central and Eastern European migrant workers’ working conditions in the food production chain in Western Europe. Second, the findings of the systematic literature review are contextualized to the greenhouse horticulture and warehouse distribution sectors of The Netherlands based on 25 expert interviews. This paper positions the food production chain in the analytical framework of global production networks, which are defined as the transboundary “nexus of interconnected functions, operations and transactions through which a specific product or service is produced, distributed and consumed” (Coe et al., 2008, p. 274). By adopting this analytical framework, we identify key mechanisms that the working conditions of Central and Eastern European migrant workers are embedded in. The findings indicate that the transactional nature of working conditions for Central and Eastern European migrant workers is a result of institutional, sectoral and organizational factors in the food production chain. First, on the institutional level, the flawed enforcement of labour laws, including the commonality of dubious posting arrangements, isolate Central and Eastern European migrant workers from the rest of the workforce. Second, on the sectoral level, the low rate of unionization and the ineffectiveness of collective bargaining between trade unions and employers’ organizations diminish the collective voice of Central and Eastern European migrant workers. Third, on the organizational level, the dominating role of temporary agencies in the food production chain creates a multifaceted dependency for the workers, which undermines their individual agency in opting for better jobs. The findings highlight the need for collective stakeholder engagement encompassing the institutional, sectoral and organizational levels to find sustainable solutions for decent work in the food production chain. Future research should explore such collective stakeholder engagement through participatory modelling techniques.

Period	21 Jun 2021
Event title	ILERA World Congress
Event type	Conference
Location	SwedenShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International