Robots and Immigrants: Who Is Stealing Jobs?

This book explores how immigration and automation are eroding political and working rights, leading to fears of job theft and ownership. It sheds light on the role of employment as an instrument of neoliberal governance and sparks new debate on the role of automation and migration policies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 156 pages
Publication date: 29 September 2022
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Focusing on the competitive labor market, this book scrutinizes the narratives created around immigration and automation. The authors explore how the advances in AI and demands for a constant flow of immigrant workers eradicate political and working rights, fueling fears over job theft and ownership. Shedding light on the multiple ways in which employment is used as an instrument of neoliberal governance, this revealing book sparks new debate on the role of automation and migration policies. It is an invaluable resource for academics and practitioners working in the areas of immigration and labor, capitalism and social exclusion, and economic models and political governance.

Immigration and automation have been major topics of discussion in recent years, with many people concerned about the impact of these factors on the labor market. In their book, "Who Steals Jobs? Who Owns Jobs?", the authors examine the narratives surrounding immigration and automation and explore how they are used to erode political and working rights, fueling fears over job theft and ownership.

The book begins by examining the historical context of immigration and automation, highlighting how these factors have been used to justify policies that prioritize the interests of corporations and capital over those of workers. The authors argue that the advances in AI and the demand for a constant flow of immigrant workers have created a situation where employment is used as an instrument of neoliberal governance, with the goal of maximizing profits and reducing social costs.

One of the key themes of the book is the way in which employment is used to control and discipline workers. The authors argue that the increasing automation of jobs has led to a decline in the bargaining power of workers, as employers can easily replace workers with machines or outsource jobs to countries with lower labor costs. This has resulted in a situation where workers are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination, with many facing low wages, poor working conditions, and limited job security.

Another theme of the book is the way in which employment is used to perpetuate social exclusion and inequality. The authors argue that the demand for immigrant workers is often used to fill labor shortages in certain industries, such as agriculture and hospitality, which are typically low-paying and have limited job opportunities for native-born workers. This has led to a situation where immigrant workers are marginalized and excluded from the benefits of the labor market, such as access to healthcare, education, and social security.

The book also explores the ways in which automation is changing the nature of work and the skills required to succeed in the labor market. The authors argue that the increasing automation of jobs is leading to a shift in the skills required for employment, with a growing emphasis on technical and cognitive skills. This has created a situation where many workers are left behind, as they do not have the necessary skills to compete in the job market.

In conclusion, "Who Steals Jobs? Who Owns Jobs?" is a thought-provoking and important book that sheds light on the ways in which immigration and automation are used to erode political and working rights, fuel fears over job theft and ownership, and perpetuate social exclusion and inequality. The authors provide a valuable analysis of the historical and contemporary context of these issues and offer a range of solutions to address them. This book is an invaluable resource for academics, practitioners, and policymakers working in the areas of immigration and labor, capitalism and social exclusion, and economic models and political governance.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529212716