LOCATING THE FLEXIBLE LABOUR DISCOURSE IN THE DECENT WORK AGENDA
Date
2013-10-04
Authors
Kumalo, Thulani
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Abstract
The research seeks to explore how Nedlac’ s social partners understand
the constructs of flexible labour and decent work. The study also
examines how the views of these social partners influence debates on
employment creation. Discourse on fl e x i b l e l abour and decent work has
unravelled two policy strands on (a) regulating the labour market or (b)
banning certain forms of f l e x i b i l i t y . The study assesses how the views
of Nedlac’ s social partners on flexible labour and decent work shape
the policy choices they make to ban or regulate flexible employment
practices in South Afr i c a .
This is a qualitative research study. Interviews and document reviews
were used to collect primary and secondary data respectively. The
Nedlac institution was used as an illustrative case study since it has
knowledgeable policy developers representing different constituent
groups. The research reviewed literature on the defi n i t i o n o f labour
f lexibi l i ty whi l e also looking at other thematic areas such as the
theories of f lexibisation, the types of labour f l e x i b i l i t y , c o n t e s t a t i o n s
within the labour constituency, employment creation and the flexicurity
model as a third way agenda fo r flexible and decent jobs.
The study reveals that Nedlac’ s social partners understand flexible
labour and decent work in line with t h e f indings f rom the reviewed
literature. However social partners have different views on the
contribution of flexibility on employment creation and decent work.
The policy options suggested by Nedlac’ s social partners seem
d i f f e r e n t from a distance. A closer scrutiny identifi e s t h a t b o t h
regulation and banning are done through legislative amendments. The
d i f ference been the two policy options is the extent of regulation as
other social partners advocate for stringent regulatory measures to
limit the abuse of vulnerable workers and others demand a total ban of
c e r t a i n f lexible labour practices.
In conclusion, it is the researcher’s view that debates on fl e x i b l e
labour and decent work are ju s t i fied. Discourse on the impact of
f lexibi l i ty on vulnerable workers is important for the regulation of t h e
South African labour market. Policy makers must ensure business
efficiency without sacrificing the protection of vulnerable workers.
The study reveals that there are a lot of decent work deficits amongst
both permanent and temporary forms of employment. The Nedlac’s
social partners concur that the precursor to decent work is t h e
transformation of temporary jobs into permanent employment through
the training and development of temporary assignees.
Description
MM (P&DM) thesis
Keywords
Labour market, Flexible labour