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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The Manchester Road: women and the informalization of work in South Africa's footwear industry
Author:Mosoeta, SarahISNI
Year:2001
Periodical:Labour, Capital and Society
Volume:34
Issue:2
Pages:184-206
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:women workers
footwear industry
Abstract:There is a growing informalization of work in the footwear industry in South Africa in the face of liberalization and workplace restructuring. This trend also reflects the changing nature of work: from large-scale factory production to small backrooms and garages where workers work long hours, earn low wages, are not protected by labour legislation, and are left unorganized by trade unions. A new form of casual work is also emerging - informal sector workers in manufacturing enterprises. This informalization of the sector has increased the number of black women who are vulnerable and socially excluded. Despite policies and initiatives such as the Workplace Challenge Initiative aimed at repositioning South Africa on the 'high road' - high skills through training and high wages, effective collective bargaining, rewards and incentive schemes - what is emerging is a South African variant of the 'low road'. The article is based on fieldwork in Pietermaritzburg, 'the shoe city', in 1999-2000. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in French. [ASC Leiden abstract]
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