Workers' Dilemmas: Recruitment, Reliability and Repeated Exchange: An Analysis of Urban Social Networks and Labour Circulation

Workers Dilemmas explores the management skills of the urban poor, women of the urban poor, and finds evidence of high managerial competence. It reveals the hidden history of women's involvement in the work world, highlighting their entrepreneurial role and the financial support provided by seasonal labor for household survival.

Format: Hardback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 24 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Originally published in 1996, Workers Dilemmas delves into the management skills of individuals with limited resources, specifically focusing on the women of the urban poor. This groundbreaking study uncovers a wealth of evidence showcasing the remarkable levels of managerial competence within this marginalized group, which has largely been hidden from historical narratives. By examining the involvement of poor women in the world of work, this study seeks to rectify the absence of this significant record.

For over a century (1850–1960s), women and children embarked on arduous journeys from their urban residences in the East End of London to work in the hop-picking fields of Kent and Hampshire. The sheer magnitude of the annual migration and the intricate complexities involved in organizing such a vast workforce have largely been overlooked in the literature. Drawing upon a diverse range of historical records and oral histories, this book delves into the remarkable management and occupational skills possessed by the urban poor in their relentless pursuit of household survival strategies.

Above all, Workers Dilemmas highlights the pivotal entrepreneurial role played by women within this labor market, emphasizing the critical financial support provided by this regular seasonal labor for their families' survival. This study offers a fresh perspective on how work patterns, family structures, and community networks intertwine, challenging prevailing notions in the broader domains of anthropology and the sociology of work. By shedding light on the experiences and capabilities of the urban poor, Workers Dilemmas contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics and challenges faced by marginalized communities.

Weight: 620g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032321844