Labour Dynamics Research Articles

Dynamics of automation in economic growth and the labor market

AbstractThis study delves into the intricate dynamics of technology, labor markets, and economic growth within the context of Industry 4.0. By integrating automation capital into a dynamic general equilibrium model, we examine its implications for economic performance and social equity. The empirical analysis highlights the substitutability of unskilled labor by automation, revealing a nuanced relationship between automation adoption, the skill premium, and economic growth. Contrary to conventional wisdom, our findings suggest that a reduced ratio of unskilled to skilled labor, driven by automation, can lead to both an increase in the skill premium and sustained economic growth, even in the face of demographic challenges such as declining populations. However, this trend also exacerbates income inequality, underscoring the imperative for policy interventions aimed at promoting skill enhancement and ensuring equitable distribution of technological advancements.

Empowering Indonesian Migrant Workers Through Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship

Financial literacy has emerged as a critical aspect of economic empowerment, yet significant disparities persist between countries. According to the 2019 Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, Australia boasts a financial literacy rate of 64%, while Indonesia lags behind at only 38% (Australia Indonesia Youth Association, 2020). Recognizing this gap, this initiative aims to address the financial literacy needs of Indonesian migrant workers through targeted training programs. Drawing on data from the 2022 National Survey on Financial Literacy and Financial Inclusion (Survei Nasional Literasi dan Inklusi Keuangan/SNLIK), which showed an increase to 49.68% in Indonesia (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan, 2022), our community outreach initiative focuses on raising awareness and providing practical knowledge on entrepreneurship among migrant workers. By offering workshops on International Community Outreach with the theme "Raising Entrepreneurial Success Among Indonesian Migrant Workers," this activity aims to equip participants with the skills and inspiration to start their businesses upon returning to Indonesia. Through training sessions on budget management and entrepreneurship, we strive to empower migrant workers to achieve financial independence and contribute to their personal economic well-being. This initiative embodies our commitment to fostering self-sufficiency and economic resilience among Indonesian migrant workers.

Political Economy of Manufacturing: Conventional and Nonconventional Practices in the Global Context

This paper examines the intricate interplay between political economy and manufacturing practices, encompassing both conventional and nonconventional methods in a global context. It explores how political and economic factors shape manufacturing strategies, with a focus on technological innovation, labor dynamics, sustainability, and regulatory frameworks. Comparative case studies highlight disparities between developed and developing economies, revealing distinct approaches to industrial policies and their impacts on economic outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of balancing traditional manufacturing strengths with advancements in Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance competitiveness and sustainability. Policy recommendations advocate for strategic government interventions that promote innovation, support workforce adaptation, and foster international collaboration in manufacturing sectors.

Treatment of Colonial Mine Labourers at Mijnbouw Maatschappij Redjang Lebong (1928-1936)

This study highlights labour dynamics and socio-economic conditions at the Mijnbouw Maatschappij Redjang-Lebong (MMRL) gold mine in the late 1920s to 1930s. This research aims to analyze the treatment of labourers in the most significant gold and silver mining in the Dutch East Indies, MMRL. The method used in this research is the historical method with the research steps of heuristics, source criticism, interpretation, and historiography. The result shows fluctuations in the number of labourers and budget allocations for labour wages, explosives and other necessities from 1928 to 1936. Daily labourers significantly declined from 979 in December 1929 to 744 in December 1930. Differences in payment systems and benefits for contract, casual, and day labourers are also described, reflecting variations in wages and health facilities received. Occupational injuries and work-related illnesses were a common problem, with many labourers sustaining severe injuries as a result of the mine’s non-stop operations. MMRL provides medical facilities and implements health measures, but there remains a high risk of respiratory illness and other injuries. The excellent relationship between company owner H.J.A. Sanders and the labourers is also an essential factor in the social life of the labourers

A dynamic analysis of capital, corruption, and labor market interactions

The complex relationship between corruption, economic growth, and labor dynamics has long been a challenge for policymakers. This study sheds new light on these dynamic interactions by constructing a novel economic model with saturation effects that integrate employment considerations. Unlike static or purely empirical models, our approach captures the system’s evolution over time, employing a logistic growth function to realistically reflect economic limitations and distinguishing between employed and unemployed labor segments. By incorporating a Holling type II function, the model captures the nonlinear influence of corruption on economic growth, acknowledging diminishing returns at higher corruption levels. Through advanced theoretical analysis, we establish the existence and stability conditions for three distinct long-term equilibria: stagnation, corruption-free growth with full employment, and a coexistent state where corruption persists alongside some economic activity. Our analysis goes beyond merely identifying these equilibria by revealing the specific conditions under which each state prevails, and we solidify these theoretical predictions with comprehensive numerical simulations depicting the system’s behavior under varying conditions. The findings underscore the importance of robust anti-corruption measures and a labor-intensive economic approach, highlighting that fostering growth outpacing resource depletion is crucial for escaping stagnation and achieving sustainable development. Overall, this research advances the field by integrating employment dynamics, a Holling type II function for corruption, and a focus on stability analysis, providing invaluable insights for policymakers aiming to promote sustainable economic development, combat corruption, and ensure healthy employment conditions.

¿Más de lo mismo? Condiciones laborales de las trabajadoras del hogar en las plataformas digitales en México

While digital platforms that connect domestic workers with employers have proliferated over the past two decades, academic research on this phenomenon remains limited. These platforms have the potential to improve working conditions in the sector, however, they often seem to perpetuate the job insecurity that has historically characterized domestic work. This article explores whether the working conditions of domestic workers on digital platforms differ significantly from traditional ones. Based on 24 interviews with workers in Mexico, it examines four key aspects of their conditions: (i) hours and schedule flexibility; (ii) workload; (iii) income and benefits; and (iv) discrimination, violence, and harassment. The findings reveal incremental improvements in the conditions of digital workers but no significant break from the historical precariousness. The article is intended to enrich the emerging literature on platforms dedicated to domestic work, especially in the context of the global south and Latin America, where they have received little attention so far. It focuses on the in-person employment relationship between workers and their employers, which has been little explored in previous research. The study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of labor dynamics in this emerging work modality and highlights the need for labor regulations that include domestic workers connected through digital platforms.

Living on the Margins, Working in the Planned: Domestic Workers Traversing to/Between Squatter Settlements and Planned Colonies in South and South-West Delhi

This article explores the lives and labour dynamics of domestic workers in Delhi, focusing on their work in planned colonies and residence in jhuggi jhopri (JJ) clusters, or squatter settlements. Through narratives and in-depth interviews, it explores the complex interplay between these women’s employment and the broader urban landscape. The study investigates the intergenerational journey of domestic workers, tracing their migration from rural areas to urban centres in search of better opportunities. Further, it unpacks the realities of exclusion faced by domestic workers, residing in JJ clusters, which often lack legally secured tenure rights and access to basic amenities. The article examines the systematic flow of labour from JJ clusters to nearby planned colonies, where domestic workers play a crucial role in the functioning of households. Despite contributing significantly to the urban workforce, domestic workers remain in the shadows of planned development, enduring informality and inadequate legal protections. Through an interdisciplinary approach, this research highlights the socio-spatial dynamics that confine domestic workers to their settlements and restrict their mobility options. By understanding the intricate relationships between gendered work and urbanisation, this study aims to contribute to the creation of more inclusive and equitable urban spaces, shelter and employment in Delhi and beyond.

The impact of motorways and public transport construction on residents’ satisfaction with neighbourhoods

Transport infrastructures serve as pathways to employment, amenities, and services, contributing to the economic development of societies and the broader landscape. Development projects are usually measured on economic metrics; however, they can have short-term and long-term impacts on wellbeing due to disruptions during construction and changes in accessibility after construction. This study investigates the impact of transport construction projects on the residents’ satisfaction with surrounding neighbourhoods. This study uses the longitudinal survey of Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia (HILDA) from 2002 to 2019 to monitor and model satisfaction with neighbourhoods for residents living in the vicinity of 11 major transport construction projects in Sydney, Australia. The variations in residents’ satisfaction with neighbourhoods are investigated at macro and micro levels. At the macro level, average satisfaction before during and after construction are compared against each other. At the micro level, two random effect ordered logit models are developed to explain satisfaction while controlling for residents’ sociodemographic attributes and major life events. Both highway and underground projects have been shown to improve overall satisfaction among all residents. However, during the construction phase for underground, satisfaction with neighbourhoods tends to decrease. The highway projects exhibit a positive effect on residents even during the construction phase, with a higher positive effect for permanent residents.

Dynamics of class and labour: Evidence from a longitudinal study in Rajasthan (India)

AbstractIn the Gang Canal region of Rajasthan, the cropping pattern changed from a labour intensive crop, cotton, to a mechanized crop, cluster beans. The shift in cropping pattern not only displaced workers from farm wage work but also brought changes in labour hiring contracts with large scale conversion of daily wage rate contracts to piece‐rate contracts. Drawing on a primary survey in a village from Gang Canal region, the paper examines the change in the agrarian relations in rural Rajasthan by analysing the emerging development in the rural labour relations. For piece‐rate work in farm wage work in some parts of Rajasthan, the wage rate is unilaterally decided by the landlords and large capitalist farmers and is denoted as the ‘village rate’. The manual workers have negligible bargaining power vis‐à‐vis the village rate. The conversion of daily wage rate contracts to piece‐rate contracts has enhanced the duration of working day that involves a rise in the rate of surplus value. Access and availability of low wage labour facilitates the accumulation of capital. With the limited availability of employment in the non‐farm sector (in both public and private sectors), workers are compelled to sell their labour power at wages that do not exceed the level of subsistence. The paper concludes with a brief examination of continuum of coercion and varied degree of unfreedom among worker in the village.

Equity in the Australian Higher Education System: An Examination of Trends in Policy Affecting the Participation and Outcomes of Higher Education Students

This paper reviews policies affecting domestic students in the higher education system in Australia over the last several decades. It examines the implementation and expansion of Australia’s student loan program and policies to encourage widening participation in the higher education sector among equity or target groups, including those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Using quantitative data from Australian government and university sources as well as the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, this research seeks to assess whether equity and inclusion in higher education over this period has improved or been maintained. The findings show that while the conditions under which students are able to access higher education in Australia remain relatively generous, the participation rates of equity groups have not substantially improved over the last two decades. Further, the less advantaged circumstances of equity students continue to predict their outcomes prior to and beyond degree completion.

Infrastructure, time and labour: movement and suspension along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor

ABSTRACT Africa’s renewed push towards infrastructure development brought with it new forms of territorialisation tied to both capital and labour. Infrastructures are expected to connect specific African hubs to global trade flows, promote industrialisation and increase employment rates, yet they often struggle to fulfil said promises. We explore the relationship between Africa’s ‘infrastructure turn’ and changing labour relations through the case of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor in West Africa. Drawing from critical infrastructure studies and broader work in labour geography, we use the concept of suspension as a lens to illuminate a variety of processes – occurring across varied temporalities and scales – that are imbricated in the construction of different forms of infrastructural labour. We posit that infrastructure development as currently structured simultaneously (i) reinforces geopolitical inequities in the division of labour in the design and implementation of infrastructure projects; (ii) fosters competition amongst states for value and trade capture; and (iii) prompts contestation and disavowal in the context of the construction of specific projects. These three distinct, yet inter-related ways in which infrastructure development entangles with labour dynamics highlight that the work of imagining and crafting infrastructural promise creates pathways for novel, and often contested, configurations of labour relations.

An investigation of the longitudinal trajectory patterns of health-related quality of life among Australians with disabilities: explaining disability types and properties

BackgroundResearch on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) trajectory patterns for people with disabilities (PwD) is scant. Understanding the HRQoL trajectory patterns for PwDs and investigating their relationship with disability types and socioeconomic factors can have important implications for Australia’s welfare policy.MethodsWe analysed data from waves 11 to 21 of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey of respondents aged 15 + years of the PwDs. The analytic sample consists of 3724 self-reported disabled individuals and 34,539 observations in total. The SF-6D utility score is our HRQoL measure. Group-based trajectory modelling was utilised to identify trajectory groups, and multinomial logistic regression was employed to determine the baseline factors associated with trajectory group membership.ResultsThe study identified four distinct types of HRQoL trajectories (high, moderate improving, moderate deteriorating and low HRQoL trajectories). Psychosocial disability types followed by physical disability types had a high Relative Risk Ratio (RRR) in the low group compared with high trajectory group membership of PwDs (psychosocial: 6.090, physical: 3.524). Similar, results followed for the moderate improving group albeit with lower RRR (psychosocial: 2.868, Physical: 1.820). In the moderate deteriorating group, the disability types were not significant as this group has a similar profile to high group at the baseline. Compared with males, females had a higher RRR in low and moderate versus high improving HRQoL trajectories (low: 1.532, moderate improving: 1.237). Comparing the richest class to the poorest class, socioeconomic factors (income and education) predicted significantly lower exposure for the richer class to the low and medium HRQoL trajectories groups (RRR < 1).ConclusionDifferent forms of disability, demographic and socioeconomic factors have distinct effects on the HRQoL trajectories of disabled individuals. Healthcare and economic resource efficiency might be improved with targeted government policy interventions based on disability trajectories.

3D Printing Technology and Future of Construction: A Review

Abstract Historically characterised by its labour-intensive nature and low productivity, the construction industry is witnessing a technological revolution. Among these advancements, 3D printing stands out as a frontrunner, offering the potential to automate construction processes, reduce material waste, shorten project timelines, and mitigate risks associated with manual labour. This study explores the transformative capacity of large-scale 3D printing in construction, examining current progress, potential trajectories, and inherent limitations. Furthermore, it assesses the impact of expanded 3D printing adoption on the construction labour market. Our findings highlight 3D printing’s potential to significantly diminish the need for manual labour, addressing labour shortages, particularly in countries reliant on immigrant labour forces. However, its effectiveness may vary in regions with competitive labour costs where manual labour remains prevalent. Integrating 3D printing in construction necessitates cultivating a specialised workforce with expertise in this innovative technology. In conclusion, this study underscores the transformative influence of 3D printing in construction, offering increased efficiency, reduced labour dependency, and solutions to industry challenges. Adapting 3D printing adoption to regional labour dynamics and workforce upskilling is essential for maximising its benefits. As the construction industry evolves, embracing 3D printing emerges as a pivotal factor in shaping its future landscape.

Examining variation in the relationship between disability and physical activity across Australian local government areas

Understanding the relationship between disability and physical activity and whether it differs across local government jurisdictions may aid in the development of placed-based approaches to reducing disability-related inequalities in physical activity. The objectives of this study were to examine the association between disability and physical activity and assess whether this association varied between Australian Local Government Areas. The sample included 13,315 participants aged 18–64 years from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics Australia Survey, 2017. Participants self-reported disability and physical activity. Linear mixed-effects models estimated the association between disability and physical activity. People with disability reported less physical activity per week. We did not find evidence that this association varied across LGAs. Our findings do not add evidence towards local government-based approaches in Australia to reducing physical activity inequalities between people with and without a disability.

The Dispute and Countermeasure of Workers' Off-line Right in the Digital Age

In the age of digital advancement, society has shifted to a data-centric and interconnected paradigm. This transformation has not only altered lifestyles but also impacted labor dynamics significantly. As digital tools bring convenience, they also pose challenges such as blurred work-life boundaries and prolonged working hours.This article delves into the debate surrounding offline rights of workers in the digital era and proposes effective solutions. Employing a mixed-method approach, it elucidates the essence of these rights and argues for their legal recognition. The focus is on devising a comprehensive framework that balances legal clarity, market dynamics, and worker protection.By offering innovative policy recommendations, this research addresses the pressing need to safeguard workers' offline rights. It not only provides theoretical insights but also practical guidance to promote work-life balance and sustainable digital economy development. Upholding these rights signifies a commitment to modern labor values and social equity in today's digital age.

Mental health impacts from repeated climate disasters: an Australian longitudinal analysis

BackgroundExtreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense under changing climatic conditions. Whilst there is substantial evidence that exposure to a single weather related disaster is detrimental for mental health, few studies have explored how exposure to multiple disasters impacts mental health. MethodsWe utilised 11 waves of data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, yielding a sample of 16629 observations from 2003 individuals. Fixed effects linear regression analysis was used to estimate the impact of experiencing multiple disasters on mental health. We tested for effect modification on this association by sex, rurality, employment and presence of a long-term health condition. ResultsExposure to multiple disasters was associated with a relative decrease in MHI-5 score compared to baseline by -1.8 points (95% CI -3.4, -0.3), whereas exposure to a single disaster was not associated with a decline in mental health scores. There was evidence of effect modification by employment status. Unemployed individuals had evidence of moderate reduction in MHI-5 scores when exposed to a single disaster (-4.3, 95% CI -7.0, -1.5). InterpretationFindings suggest that repeat exposure to disasters is associated with worsening mental health outcomes. As extreme weather events increase, these findings highlight the need for greater attention on climate change action, and mental health interventions targeting impacted populations. FundingSuicide Prevention Australia

Spatial Heterogeneity and Subjective Wellbeing: Exploring the Role of Social Capital in Metropolitan Areas Using Multilevel Modelling

The role of social capital, the social networks that influence human wellbeing has been explored by empirical research in the US and Europe, however no study so far has undertaken a systematic investigation of the impact of the various dimensions of social capital in metropolitan areas. Addressing this gap in knowledge can have practical and policy-oriented implications by contributing to more informed decision-making processes in metro areas, better targeted interventions and ultimately an improved quality of life for residents. This study adopts a multi-level modelling approach to investigate life satisfaction and social capital heterogeneity within metropolitan areas in Australia. Our dataset was collected by the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey and includes almost 4,000 individual respondents. Our results show that social trust, social engagement and connection, and a psychological sense of community measured at an individual level have a strong positive influence on individual life satisfaction. Conversely negative individual perceptions about neighbourhood criminality and shabbiness are associated with a lower level of life satisfaction. The application of a model using random slope coefficients for social capital variables suggests that most of the spatial heterogeneity between census districts is explained by between-individual (compositional) variations, rather than contextual differences. Only social connection and engagement appeared to have a distinctive contextual influence. These findings confirm the importance of social inclusion in enhancing wellbeing for everyone and may inform social policy on how to promote social networks in urban areas by all levels of government.

Impacts of Rural–Urban Labour Transfer and Land Transfer on Land Efficiency in China: A Analysis of Mediating Effects

In the midst of China’s ongoing rural–urban integration and development, a pivotal transformation involving the realignment of labour dynamics and land utilisation is underway. This paradigm shift has substantial implications for rural land use and agricultural productivity. Drawing from the field survey conducted in Zhejiang Province in 2019, this study puts non-agricultural employment, land transfer, and land efficiency into one econometric model and establishes a comprehensive framework to explain the mechanisms. Unlike existing research, this paper delves into the impact of different land-transfer behaviours, namely inflow and outflow, on land efficiency. The findings indicate that non-agricultural employment has no significant impact on land efficiency. Rural households acquiring land significantly enhance land efficiency, whereas relinquishing land shows no significance, thus addressing the gap in existing literature regarding the study of different transfer behaviours. Furthermore, to explore the underlying mechanisms, we investigate the mediating effect of land inflows on land efficiency, finding that it operates through plot size. In light of this, we propose that, in guiding land inflows, more emphasis should be placed on the integration and reorganisation of fragmented land rather than simply expanding the total land area, aiming to create large, well-managed areas of arable land by achieving concentrated and contiguous transferable land parcels.

Caffeinated aspirations: social mobilities and specialty coffee baristas in Brazil

ABSTRACT This paper explores the work experiences of specialty coffee baristas in São Paulo, Brazil, considering specifically the role of passion and aspiration. Through ethnographic profiles of four baristas, it reveals how the pursuit of a good life through employment extends beyond immediate economic gain, but that there are complexities in converting forms of capital within the café workplace which are shaped by Brazil’s social context and distinct histories and hierarchies around food service labor. Success and longevity in the position was shaped by baristas’ preexisting capital, and heavily mediated by socioeconomic status; although certain baristas faced more precarious trajectories, they called upon discourses of passion to mitigate challenges inherent in lower-waged food service work. By exploring the experiences and aspirations of baristas in Brazil, this paper sheds light on the complex dynamics of social mobility and labor in emerging connoisseur and artisan markets.

Predictors of male loneliness across life stages: an Australian study of longitudinal data

BackgroundDespite growing recognition of loneliness as a global public health concern, research on its occurrence and precipitants among men across different life stages remains limited and inconclusive. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the prevalence and predictors of loneliness among a large, representative data set of Australian adult men.MethodsThe study used longitudinal data from waves 2–21 of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, including men aged 15–98. Estimating linear fixed effects regressions that account for unobserved time-invariant individual heterogeneity, a single-item measure of loneliness was regressed on a set of selected explanatory variables over different parts of the life course.ResultsIncreased social isolation, romantic partnership dissolution, having a long-term disability, and stronger beliefs that the man, rather than the woman, should be the breadwinner of the household, are associated with greater loneliness. Frequent social connection, having a romantic partner, and high neighbourhood satisfaction are protective against loneliness. The findings also reveal several differences in the predictors of loneliness over the life course. Job security is especially important for younger men, whereas for older men volunteering and less conservative gender role attitudes are important factors that can decrease loneliness.ConclusionsThe results emphasise the need to consider age-specific factors and societal expectations in understanding and addressing loneliness amongst men. Additionally, the findings underscore the importance of raising awareness about the impact of societal norms and expectations on men's mental health. The results offer valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers to develop effective strategies and support systems to combat loneliness and promote well-being among men.