Broken Glass, Broken Class: Transformations of Work in Bulgaria

This book examines the flexibilization of production, precaritization of work, shifting managerial practices, and ways in which people with different employment statuses live and work together in Bulgaria's postsocialist politics of labor. It begins with an analysis of a glass factory's conveyor belt.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2023
Publisher: Berghahn Books

This book, based on a comprehensive long-term study of the everyday postsocialist politics of labor in the broader context of intense socio-economic transformation in Bulgaria, delves into the intricate dynamics of production flexibility, the precarious nature of work, evolving managerial practices, and the complex ways in which individuals with diverse employment statuses coexist and engage in their work. The ethnography begins with an immersive exploration of a glass factory, where a convergence of global and local forces, as well as worker divisions, unfolds. It then proceeds to analyze how inequalities are perpetuated not only within the factory but also in the broader social context.

The book sheds light on the ways in which global economic forces interact with local contexts, leading to the emergence of new forms of labor exploitation and social inequality. It highlights the struggles of workers to assert their rights and improve their working conditions, while also examining the role of state institutions and social movements in shaping labor policies and practices.

Through its rich and detailed ethnographic analysis, this book provides a valuable contribution to the study of postsocialism, labor markets, and social transformation in Eastern Europe. It offers insights into the complex interplay between global economic forces, local contexts, and the experiences of workers, and serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and opportunities faced by societies in the process of transition.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805390367