Labour Disrupted: Reflections on the future of work in South Africa

Labour Disrupted explores the past and future of labor, focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on South Africa and global labor movements. Contributors address issues such as democracy, inclusivity, technology, and skills development, and debate new forms of organizing and labor movement alliances.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 358 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2023
Publisher: Wits University Press

Labour Disrupted, published in the 50th anniversary year of the 1973 Durban strikes, commemorates this significant milestone by delving into the past and the future of labor, with a particular focus on South Africa and the global labor landscape. The book explores how the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa exacerbated existing contradictions and challenges faced by labor movements. Contributions from a diverse range of individuals actively involved in the labor movement address a wide array of complex issues. These include discussions on redefining democracy in South Africa, experiences of inclusivity (or lack thereof) in workplace environments by women, young people, migrant workers, LGBTI individuals, and people with disabilities. The contributors also address contemporary topics such as the impact of technology and the fourth industrial revolution on the youth and working class, the challenges of skills development and restructuring in the workplace, and the need for new forms of organizing and labor movement alliances to address social justice issues in education, health, and community solidarity. Furthermore, Labour Disrupted sheds light on the precariousness of union organization under the harsh forces of globalization. By examining the past and present, the book offers valuable insights into the ongoing struggles and challenges faced by labor movements worldwide, and provides a roadmap for building stronger and more resilient organizations in the future.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781776148226