Labor Practices Research Articles

Unlocking Pakistan’s digital potential: A roadmap for workforce digitalization and economic transformation

This paper explores the various aspects of workforce digitalization in Pakistan. Through an exploratory case study, it examines key trends of workforce digitalization, and the multifaceted impact of digitalization on the workforce in Pakistan, highlighting the opportunities, challenges, and economic benefits. Moreover, it analyzes the government policies and initiatives for the promotion of digitalization in Pakistan. Finally, it suggests a roadmap for workforce digitalization and economic transformation in Pakistan. Workforce digitalization and economic transformation entail a multifaceted approach to modernizing labor practices, leveraging digital technologies, and fostering economic growth. The digitalization of the workforce in Pakistan reflects the country’s evolving socio-economic landscape and technological advancements. However, workforce digitalization and economic transformation in Pakistan present significant opportunities and challenges. Embracing digitalization can enhance productivity, create new job opportunities, and drive economic growth. Further, modernizing government services through digitalization initiatives, including e-governance platforms for improved efficiency, transparency, and accountability fosters a more conducive environment and accelerates digital transformation across different sectors. However, addressing challenges related to digital literacy, cybersecurity, and access to digital infrastructure is essential to ensure that all segments of the population can benefit from the digital economy. As Pakistan seeks to strengthen its economy, digitalization is key to unlocking new opportunities, driving sustainable development, and becoming a digital nation in the future. Workforce digitalization and economic transformation in Pakistan require a comprehensive strategy that addresses digital skills development, infrastructure improvement, entrepreneurship support, government digitization, digital inclusion, cybersecurity, industry collaboration, and international partnerships. By prioritizing these areas, Pakistan can unlock its digital potential and drive sustainable economic growth in the digital age.

Labour as a component of carceral circuitry: The case of asylum seekers

Building upon insights from carceral geography, this article conceptualises the ‘carceral’ as permeating beyond the prison walls to other areas of life through law and policymaking that confines and incarcerates without necessarily ‘imprisoning’. 1 Utilising the case study of asylum applicants in the UK, this article traces the role of ‘work’ as a component of carceral circuitry which enmeshes asylum seekers’ lives. Outside of immigration detention, this includes work exclusions which hinder mobility, life choices and economic independence, as well as fuelling engagement in both ‘voluntary’ unpaid work arrangements, and/or unregulated ‘criminal’ labour practices which arise as a result of exclusionary laws intent on creating a hostile environment. Inside of immigration detention analysis extends to the practice of ‘paid activities’ in which immigration detainees undertake millions of hours of work at a rate of £1.00 per hour, ostensibly ‘for their own benefit’. Labour law and its explicit exclusions, as well as the social welfare framework, thereby intersect with immigration control and the criminal law to construct, shape and reproduce this carceral sphere which seeks to control and govern asylum seekers’ lives as well as entrenching their vulnerability as an easily exploitable workforce from which value can be extracted.

Nepali Migrant Workers and Their Occupational Health Hazards in the Workplace: A Scoping Review

An increasing number of people are relocating to search for work, leading to substantial implications for both local and global health. Approximately 3.6% of the global population (281 million) migrates annually. Nepal has experienced a notable surge in labour migration in recent years, with a substantial proportion of its residents actively seeking work opportunities abroad. Understanding work-related risks is crucial for informing policies, interventions, and practices that can improve the welfare of this hard-to-reach population. This scoping review aims to systematically identify and analyse occupational health hazards encountered by Nepali migrant workers employed overseas. Medline, Scopus, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and the NepJOL databases were systematically searched for primary research papers published in English up to July 2024. Relevant data, including workplace hazards and their impact on health outcomes, were extracted and narratively synthesised by highlighting key themes in the existing literature. A total of 24 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Of these, twelve studies were conducted in Nepal, five in Gulf countries, four in Malaysia, two in Hong Kong, and one each in India and Korea. Workplace injuries (motor vehicle injuries, machinery injuries, falls from a height, and falls on a heavy object), poor working environment (including long working hours, work without leave, discrepancy in pay scale, limited access to drinking water and toilet/bathroom facilities), workplace abuse, sexual abuse, and torture were identified as key occupational health hazards faced by the Nepali migrant workers abroad. Multi-level intervention strategies, such as safety training standards, improving working conditions, and eliminating exploitative labour practices, are critical to improving occupational health and safety standards for Nepali migrant workers abroad. This includes creating a supportive working environment where employees can easily and timely access health services as needed.

Minding the gap? Blind spots in the ILO's and the EU's perspective on anti-forced labour policy

This article critically examines the EU's recent proposal to ban products made with forced labour from its market, which adopts the ILO's definition of ‘forced labour’ as outlined in the Forced Labour Convention of 1930 (No. 29). The authors argue that the EU's endorsement of the ILO's approach is problematic due to two flawed assumptions: (1) the definition of ‘forced labour’ is universally accepted across the EU, and (2) it is well-suited to combat forced labour in contemporary supply chains. Through an analysis of ongoing debates between the ILO and its Member States, the article demonstrates a lack of consensus regarding the interpretation of the Convention, particularly in the context of hybrid public-private prison labour arrangements. Furthermore, introducing a new Hybrid Multi-Dimensional (HMD) model for analysing contemporary prison labour practices, the article reveals blind spots in the ILO's approach that may inadvertently allow the incorporation of prison labour into supply chains, contrary to the EU's objectives. The article argues that the EU's unequivocal endorsement of the ILO's definition disregards these fundamental issues and may hinder the effective implementation of its proposed ban. The authors suggest that the HMD model offers a more comprehensive framework for analysing the complex realities of modern prison labour and could provide a roadmap for resolving the ILO-States debate. The article concludes that the EU should reconsider its wholesale adoption of the ILO's approach in light of the HMD model's insights in order to fulfil the objectives of its proposed forced labour product ban.

Temporalities of oxytocin for labour augmentation: a mixed-methods study of time factors shaping labour practices in a busy maternity unit in Tanzania

BackgroundHigh rates of labour augmentation with oxytocin have been found in some low- and lower-middle-income countries, causing potential perinatal harm. It is critical to understand the reasons for this overuse. Aim was to explore factors that shape practices around using oxytocin for labour augmentation in a high-volume labour ward in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.MethodsMixed-methods data collection was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022, including structured observations of 234 births, 220 h of unstructured labour ward observations and 13 individual in-depth interviews with birth attendants. Thematic network analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. We used a time-lens to understand practices of oxytocin for labour augmentation in time-pressured labour wards.ResultsBirth attendants constantly had to prioritise certain care practices over others in response to time pressure. This led to overuse of oxytocin for augmentation to ensure faster labour progression and decongestion of the, often overburdened, ward. Simultaneously, birth attendants had little time to monitor foetal and maternal condition. Surprisingly, while oxytocin was used in 146 out of 234 (62.4%) structured labour observations, only 9/234 (4.2%) women had active labour lasting more than 12 h. Correspondingly, 21/48 (43.8%) women who were augmented with oxytocin in the first stage of labour had uncomplicated labour progression at the start of augmentation. While the partograph was often not used for decision-making, timing of starting oxytocin often correlated with natural cycles of ward-rounds and shift-turnovers instead of individual women’s labour progression. This resulted in co-existence of ‘too early’ and ‘too late’ use of oxytocin. Liberal use of oxytocin for labour augmentation was facilitated by an underlying fear of prolonged labour and low alertness of oxytocin-related risks.ConclusionsTime scarcity in the labour ward often made birth attendants deviate from clinical guidelines for labour augmentation with oxytocin. Efforts to navigate time pressure resulted in too many women with uncomplicated labour progression receiving oxytocin with little monitoring of labour. Fear of prolonged labour and low alertness to oxytocin-mediated risks were crucial drivers. These findings call for research into safety and benefits of oxytocin in low-resource settings and interventions to address congestion in labour wards to prevent using oxytocin as a time-management tool.

Ditundukkan, Terasing, dan Imbalan Tak Setara: Praktik Pekerja Digital Media Sosial Suara.com

The use of social media in mainstream media has become commonplace in the digital age. This raises issues of copyright, quality, and exploitation of digital labour, such as low wages and high workloads. This research aims to reveal the practices of the digital labour in managing Suara.com's social media accounts based on Fuchs' digital labour theory. This research uses a qualitative approach with a case study method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with digital labour managing Suara.com's social media accounts, non-participant observation, and analysis of internal documents and related publications. Through the study of the results associated with Christian Fuchs' digital labour theory, the results show that the digital labours are exploited in terms of workload, the absence of boundaries between personal life and work, and equal recognition of work results. This practice reflects the aspects of the digital labour exploitation, namely coercion, alienation, and appropriation.

Humanitarian capitalism: The labour regime of aid and the surrogate welfare state in times of global displacement

Recent literature on the geography and political economy of humanitarian migration governance has highlighted the diverse circuits of economic value being forged through ‘refugee crises’ across the world. However, there is a noticeable gap in the examination of what kind of labour relations sustain these new economic circuits. Additionally, there is limited analysis of how humanitarian labour practices intersect with existing geographies of labour precarity in regions where refugee aid operations are conducted. This article aims to address these gaps by exploring the dominant labour relations within the changing landscape of private and public service providers in Greece following the 2015–16 European ‘refugee crisis.’ The article argues that the growth of the refugee aid sector in Greece both capitalised on and exacerbated ongoing processes of labour market deregulation and public sector contraction. The burgeoning aid sector operated as a surrogate welfare state, relying on devalued local labour to address the basic social reproduction needs of global ‘surplus populations’. Extending discussions on the political economy of migration industries beyond profit-making to account for their role in transforming the welfare state and labour relations in spaces of accentuated capitalist crisis, the article demonstrates how the emergency temporalities of aid funding, the rise of public sector managerialism, and employment protection liberalisation impact migrant-facing services, effectively serving as both anti-labour and anti-immigration policy. Furthermore, it illustrates how politically induced migrant ruination is used as a lever to intensify and moralise humanitarian labour in a feedback loop detrimental to both working-class locals and migrants.

Deciphering the Nature and Dynamics of Gig-Platform Jobs: Workers’ Hidden Precarity

The technology-driven gig-platform sector has emerged as a new source of employment generation both globally as well domestically. This recent transformation in the labour market is reshaping the nature of labour practices, labour relations, workers’ rights, and contracts. The sector has huge potential to generate millions of job opportunities by leveraging the use of digital technology. As this sector continues to generate more jobs, such jobs are portrayed as fostering economic growth, while creating ‘meaningful jobs,’ which are mutually beneficial to workers and employers in terms of providing ‘flexibility and freedom,’ ‘better earning opportunity,’ and ‘promoting social inclusion,’ by which it implies that women are increasingly equipped to find better jobs. This article critically examines the developmental roles of platform jobs which are being particularly highlighted within the policy circle, in academic literature, and tech companies through workers’ lens. It delves deeper into the discussion on those very aspects of platform jobs just listed, including the flexibility and freedom debate, workers’ income, and the gender aspect of jobs. In doing so, it carefully examines these aspects with respect to their implications on workers in terms of working conditions and regulatory aspects. The article brings out the workers’ precarity hidden within those developmental aspects of gig-platform jobs.

SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIER SELECTION IN INDIRECT PROCUREMENT: BEST PRACTICES AND CASE STUDIES IN ENGINEERING

This systematic review examines sustainable supplier selection in indirect procurement within the engineering sector, focusing on best practices, criteria, and impacts on organizational performance. Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the review synthesizes findings from 35 articles published between 2000 and 2023. Key best practices identified include the integration of sustainability criteria into supplier evaluations, the use of lifecycle assessments (LCAs) to gauge environmental impact, and the implementation of carbon footprint analyses. Additionally, the emphasis on fair labor practices and the requirement for suppliers to obtain certifications like SA8000 enhance social sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The evolution of supplier selection criteria to encompass environmental, social, and economic factors reflects a more holistic approach, addressing complex sustainability challenges and driving long-term value and resilience in supply chains. The review also highlights the positive impacts of sustainable procurement practices, such as cost savings, risk mitigation, enhanced brand reputation, and improved operational efficiency. These findings underscore the strategic importance of sustainable procurement in achieving organizational sustainability goals and fostering sustainable development in the engineering sector.

OPTIMIZING HVAC EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY: A REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

This systematic review examines sustainable supplier selection in indirect procurement within the engineering sector, focusing on best practices, criteria, and impacts on organizational performance. Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the review synthesizes findings from 35 articles published between 2000 and 2023. Key best practices identified include the integration of sustainability criteria into supplier evaluations, the use of lifecycle assessments (LCAs) to gauge environmental impact, and the implementation of carbon footprint analyses. Additionally, the emphasis on fair labor practices and the requirement for suppliers to obtain certifications like SA8000 enhance social sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The evolution of supplier selection criteria to encompass environmental, social, and economic factors reflects a more holistic approach, addressing complex sustainability challenges and driving long-term value and resilience in supply chains. The review also highlights the positive impacts of sustainable procurement practices, such as cost savings, risk mitigation, enhanced brand reputation, and improved operational efficiency. These findings underscore the strategic importance of sustainable procurement in achieving organizational sustainability goals and fostering sustainable development in the engineering sector.

Role of Gig Economy Participation in Shaping Worker Economic Security in Indonesia

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the role of gig economy participation in shaping worker economic security in Indonesia. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: In Indonesia, gig economy participation offers flexibility and additional income, aiding financial stability for many workers. However, it also introduces challenges such as income instability, lack of social protections, and limited access to benefits. This situation can lead to significant economic insecurity, especially during downturns. While gig work provides opportunities, it highlights the need for enhanced labor policies and social protections to improve economic security for gig workers. Policymakers should address these issues to better integrate gig workers into social safety nets and ensure fair labor practices. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Theory of job demands-resources (JD-R), social protection theory & human capital theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the gender inequality in the workplace in Japan. Employers and gig platforms should create and integrate financial planning tools and resources specifically designed for gig workers. To address the economic insecurity faced by gig workers, policymakers should implement portable benefits systems that can be carried across various gig jobs.

A Multivariate Effect of Employee Relations on Organizational Performance

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of employee relations on organizational performance. A study of hospitality firms in Calabar, Cross River State. The specific objectives were to examine the effect of Hiring and selection, training and development, salaries and benefit on organizational performance. Primary data was employed in the study using questionnaire instrument. Simple regression statistical tool was adopted in the study. Based on the analysis of the results, the findings revealed that hiring and selection had a significant effect on performance, training and development had a significant effect on performance, salaries and benefits had a significant effect on performance of hospitality firms in Calabar. The study concluded that good employee relations result in highly committed, motivated and loyal employees in the organizations. In line with the findings, the study recommended that hospitality firms should focus more on implementing fair labor practices and building effective and sustainable employee relations that will ensure their growth and survival. Finally, management should devise other measures in which the employees could be effective in order to achieve effective performance.

Сокращенная рабочая неделя: от вопросов внедрения до реальных экспериментов на примере зарубежных практик

The article reveals the main aspects of introducing a shortened work schedule into Russian labor practice. The relevance of the topic is currently confirmed not only by the demands of society, but also by the objective technological development of society. Employees of organizations around the world are waiting for changes in approaches to organizing working hours in accordance with the challenges of the time, which not only contribute to the transition to more flexible forms of employment, including remote work, but also to reducing working hours. Using the example of foreign practice of experiments with shortening working hours, the main options possible for using a shortened working week in the world and in Russia in particular are structured. Currently, the practice of switching to a four-day working week is being implemented with a reduction in the length of the working week, maintaining the number of working hours per week, as well as various options with maintaining or reducing wages. The problematic issues of the introduction of a shortened working week are highlighted, both on the part of employers, and on the part of the authorities and employees.

Sustainable Fashion: Exploring the Concept of Greenwashing and New Trends in the Fashion Industry

The fashion industry, characterized by rapid cycles of production and consumption, has emerged as a global economic powerhouse, generating significant revenue and employment opportunities worldwide. However, this growth has come at a substantial environmental and social cost, marked by extensive resource consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and labor exploitation. This paper critically examines the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry, focusing on issues such as textile waste, water pollution, and unethical labor practices. It explores the transition towards sustainable fashion practices, highlighting initiatives like circular fashion and consumer behavior shifts towards eco-friendly choices. The study employs a comprehensive review of current literature and case studies to analyze the challenges and opportunities for achieving sustainability within the fashion sector. By synthesizing diverse perspectives and research findings, this paper proposes strategies to combat greenwashing, enhance transparency, and foster a circular economy in fashion. Ultimately, it aims to provide a framework for stakeholders to navigate towards a more ethical and environmentally responsible future for the fashion industry.

Factors influencing online sustainability disclosure in Spanish universities

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the extent of sustainability disclosure through websites at Spanish universities and analyse the determinants that affect such disclosure. Design/methodology/approach This study uses as methodology a content analysis of the sustainability information disclosed by universities on their official websites in 2022 and a regression of ordinary least squares. Findings Findings emphasise that Spanish universities have moderate levels of online sustainability disclosure, close to 50%, showing prevalent attention to dimensions concerning “organisation profile and governance”, “economic aspects” and “labour practices”, while “curriculum and teaching on sustainability topics” and “environmental” dimensions were less addressed. On the other hand, the findings indicate that public and larger universities are the ones most engaged in the online disclosure of information about sustainability issues. Likewise, universities led by female rectors exert a positive influence on sustainability disclosure on websites. Practical implications The results could be useful for policymakers and regulators to implement and standardise sustainability reporting at higher education institutions, as well as for managers at universities who wish to increase the diffusion of sustainability outreach to satisfy stakeholders’ demands and legitimise their actions in society. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first Spanish approach to identify the explanatory factors for sustainability reporting in Spanish higher education institutions.

Liquor Rations and Labour Management in the Nineteenth-Century Atlantic World

Abstract A striking yet underexamined system of labour management circulated between land and sea in the nineteenth-century Atlantic world: the use of liquor rations to stimulate worker productivity. Turning to the British naval warship and the American slave plantation, this article depicts how labour supervisors in both settings relied on carefully regulated quantities of alcohol to extract more labour from their workforces. Even as Anglo-American temperance activists called for sobering up the working classes, many naval commanders and slaveholders held firm to the belief that managed intemperance was an essential tool for mobilizing workers. The study of liquor rations and the arguments endorsing their distribution helps to reveal how a spectrum of coercive labour practices swept through the Atlantic world amid the emergence of an industrial capitalist order. Zooming in on the history of these rations enables us to discern labour extraction strategies that operated between the poles of violent coercion and market-based exploitation, and that animated vital sectors of the Atlantic economy during the nineteenth century.

SUSTAINABILITY IN TEXTILES: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF ECO – FRIENDLY PRACTICES AND MATERIALS

Sustainability in textiles, focusing on eco-friendly practices and materials. The paper examines the multifaceted approaches adopted by the fashion industry to mitigate environmental impact and promote ethical production. It scrutinizes the adoption of eco-conscious practices, such as utilizing organic fibers, recycled materials, and innovative biodegradable textiles. Through an analytical lens, the review evaluates the efficacy of these eco-friendly measures in reducing the industry's carbon footprint, minimizing waste, and conserving natural resources. It delves into the challenges faced in the widespread adoption of sustainable practices, considering issues related to scalability, cost-effectiveness, and consumer adoption. Further more, the review assesses the social and ethical dimensions of sustainable fashion, emphasizing fair labor practices, supply chain transparency, and the empowerment of communities involved in textile production. Drawing upon a comprehensive analysis of scholarly articles, industry reports, and case studies, this review critically examines the progress, limitations, and future prospects of sustainability in fashion and textiles, providing insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in advancing eco-friendly practices within the industry.

Labor welfare policy, practices, and deficiencies with the ILO: evidence from the garment industry of Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Labor welfare, aligned with the standards set by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and effectively practiced, plays a vital role in ensuring the optimal functioning and protection of the labor force within an industry. The garment supply chain is a significant contributor to the national economy in Bangladesh. However, labor welfare in this sector falls short of expectations due to inadequate access to facilities and benefits such as transportation, recreation, housing, and education. As such, it is of interest to see whether the labor welfare policies in Bangladesh’s garment factories align with ILO guidelines, how these policies impact workers’ overall well-being, and the extent to which the garment industry adheres to the prescribed labor welfare standards in the country. Using a mixed-method research design, the study reveals that nine welfare factors significantly correlate with worker well-being. Nevertheless, the study underscores the disparity between current labor welfare policies under labor law and those recommended by the ILO, revealing substandard labor welfare provisions and practices. The study’s outcomes can guide policymakers, business leaders, and stakeholders in enhancing labor welfare practices, ultimately aiming to improve worker well-being and work efficiency.

Strategic Human Resource Management and Employee Engagement in Australia

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the strategic human resource management and employee engagement in Australia. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: In Australia, Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) practices have shown significant impact on employee engagement across various sectors. Studies consistently highlight that organizations implementing effective SHRM strategies, such as performance management systems and supportive leadership styles, experience higher levels of engagement among employees. Leadership, especially through transformational styles, plays a crucial role in inspiring teams and fostering a positive work environment. Aligning SHRM practices with a supportive organizational culture further enhances their effectiveness in promoting employee commitment and productivity. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Resource-based view (RBV) theory, social exchange theory (SET) & high-involvement management (HIM) theory may be used to anchor future studies on strategic human resource management and employee engagement in Australia. Organizations should tailor their SHRM strategies to align with their unique organizational goals, culture, and employee demographics. Governments can support SHRM and employee engagement initiatives through regulatory frameworks that encourage investment in employee development, fair labor practices, and work-life balance.

Exceptions to the Abolition of Chinese Indenture: Chinese workers on rubber estates in Interwar British Malaya

ABSTRACT In a 1931 report investigating the status of labourers in British colonies, the Colonial Office declared that the system of indenture had been abolished across Malaya. This claim belied the realities of labour practices on the ground. On plantations, mines and in colonial homes, Chinese workers continued to labour under formal indenture and to endure indenture-like practices well into 1930s. This article explores the slow decline of Chinese indenture in Malaya, concentrating on the rubber industry in the Unfederated Malay State of Kelantan during the interwar years. The Chinese migrant workers that were brought to Kelantan in that era signed contracts for one year with the terms of the contract enforced by colonial administrators. These workers endured poor working conditions and high death rates. Those that sought to escape faced criminal conviction and punishments including fines and incarnation. By showing the continuation of indenture in Kelantan, this article challenges the assumption made by historians that Chinese indenture had ended globally by the early 1920s. It also develops new understandings of the fragmentary and complex process of abolition.