Asylum-seekers and the ‘hyper-precarity trap’ in Austria, Finland and Italy

Abstract

Drawing on both semi-structured interviews and desk-based research, this article contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how asylum-seekers may find themselves trapped in conditions of ‘hyper-precarity’ in Austria, Finland and Italy, and how their vulnerabilities compare to those of other groups of workers. The first section of the article explains the different histories of Austria, Finland and Italy in terms of hosting asylum-seekers, before outlining the recent labour market dynamics of each of these countries. This is followed by a theoretical discussion of the different elements constituting the ‘hyper-precarity trap’ as experienced by asylum-seekers. These elements include discussions of precarity, vulnerability and law. The third section explains how the interviews and desk-based research were conducted and analysed. The fourth and final section of the article presents findings and their implications.