Abstract
The article investigates, from a socio‐legal perspective, the creation of a new type of local labour law enforcer, known as the ‘law technician’, in the Northern Italian city of Prato. Since the 1980s, Prato has attracted thousands of Chinese migrants who run small workshops in the local garment industry, most of which are characterized by low compliance with Italian labour law. To combat the gaps in workers' protection, a new approach to law enforcement is emerging. Compared to traditional enforcement officials, law technicians represent a proactive approach; they have no sanctioning power and they apply multicultural, multilingual, and multidisciplinary instruments when promoting the protection of workers. Drawing on interview and documentary data gathered during two rounds of fieldwork in Prato in 2014 and 2015, the article contributes with empirical knowledge to advance theory building about the legal cultural transformation of law enforcement in contemporary societies.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.