Divisions of Labour: Ursula Huws
posted Nov. 21 - 10:16 pm by Paula E. Kirman
Capitalism has given rise to changes in the workforce in our current economy. There is a rising use of migrant workers in two situations: as nannies and housekeepers for double-income families, and as cheap labour for corporations. These workers are vulnerable because they do not have the ability to organize in the same way as local workers due to citizenship issues and other complications.
In Alberta, we see the migrant worker situation most clearly in the oil industry. Foreign workers are used as cheap labour while their health and safety are sacrificed. Such exploitation makes the tar sands more than just an environmental problem, but a humanitarian one as well.
We also have our fair share of foreign housekeepers. They are usually employed by those trapped in the capitalist rat race. Again, low wages and few, if any, benefits await these workers.
As well, many expanding corporations are using offshore outsourcing. A major example of this are call centres in India. Cheaper for the corporation, the company also does not have the same accountability to the workers because they are so far away.
In an economy where jobs are scarce and people are struggling, the use of migrant and outsourced workers gives rise to racism, with the workers scapegoated. However, the real problem is a system which mostly benefits only those at the top: the corporate executives, the bosses, and major shareholders. In other words, those for whom the most important thing is the bottom line.
Out changing workforce has also given rise to different kinds of work situations such as having several part-time jobs instead of one full-time, telecommuting, and freelancing. Huws touched upon some of these. I'm a freelancer who tries to undermine the capitalist system by allowing myself the freedom to put quality of life over money. By living simply and making sacrifices it is possible to get out of the grind. However, this is not the life that is sold to us by the school system (which has corporate interests) or society at large. When we have enough people willing to organize on behalf of those who can't, and when we can shift society's values to something more centered on preserving life rather than getting the most for the least, we will finally have change.
