Antonio Martín Artiles

Towards a fair deal for migrant workers in the global economy

Argument 1: Immigration has beneficial effects in terms of lowering the average age of the population and stimulating growth without inflation. There are two sides to this argument. First, immigration significantly reduces the average age of the population thereby helping to guarantee the future labour supply, or indeed to expand the existing labour supply directly without having to pay training costs. This benefits productivity directly. Secondly, an abundance of migrant workers in low-paid jobs allows or contributes to a model of non-inflationary growth.

Crisis and trade union challenges in Portugal and Spain: between general strikes and social pacts:

This article examines the responses of trade union confederations to the impact of the international crisis of 2007—2010 in Portugal and in Spain. Both countries had socialist governments in power and were in particularly vulnerable positions when the crisis struck. During this period trade union confederations negotiated social pacts and called general strikes. Drawing from the literature on social pacts, general strikes and on the identities and strategic actions of trade unions, the article explores the dynamics of government policies and trade union responses and their implications for the relationship between social pacts and general strikes. Cet article examine les réactions des confédérations syndicales à l’impact de la crise internationale de 2007-2010 au Portugal et en Espagne. Dans ces deux pays étaient au pouvoir des gouvernements socialistes dans une position particulièrement vulnérable lorsque la crise a éclaté. Au cours de cette période, les confédérations syndicales ont négocié des pactes sociaux et ont appelé à des grèves générales. En se fondant sur les ouvrages et autres références traitant des pactes sociaux, des grèves générales et des identités et des actions stratégiques des syndicats, l’article explore la dynamique des politiques gouvernementales et des réactions syndicales et ses implications pour la relation entre pactes sociaux et grèves générales. In diesem Artikel werden die Reaktionen der Gewerkschaftsbünde auf die Auswirkungen der internationalen Krise 2007-2010 in Portugal und in Spanien untersucht, unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Tatsache, dass beide Länder durch die aktuelle Krise in einer besonders prekären Situation sind und in beiden Ländern sozialistische Regierungen an der Macht sind. Die Gewerkschaften haben sich in dieser Zeit sowohl an den Verhandlungen zu einem Sozialpakt beteiligt als auch zum Generalstreik aufgerufen. Vor dem Hintergrund der Literatur zu Sozialpakt und Generalstreik, zur Identität und zu Strategien der Gewerkschaften haben wir die Dynamik der von den Regierungen ergriffenen Maßnahmen und der Reaktionen der Gewerkschaften und ihre Auswirkungen auf das Verhältnis von Sozialpakt zu Generalstreik analysiert.

Youth voice(s) in EU countries and social movements in southern Europe

This article discusses social mobilization of young people in European countries over the last four years in the context of economic crisis, austerity policies and worsening conditions for young people. Two main issues are explored. First, the article examines, on the basis of the European Social Survey 2010, youth participation in protests in European countries and the factors influencing their participation: labour market conditions, education, institutional participation, and satisfaction with the functioning of democracy and the economy. Secondly, it takes a closer look at recent youth protest developments in 2011 and 2012 in southern European countries, focusing on their extent, nature and agendas.

Diversity in Trade Union Membership: A Typology Based on the Study of a Spanish Trade Union

While existing literature on the changing nature of trade union membership concentrates on unidimensional differences between members, this article proposes a multidimensional typology, which considers demographic characteristics as well as labour market position and length of union membership. Our results allow the identification of different member profiles; these are significantly associated to differences in employment conditions, work participation, job satisfaction and union activism. In the last section of the article, we discuss the practical implications that these different member profiles may have for union policy and organisation.

Public opinion, immigration and welfare in the context of uncertainty

European citizens are largely unfavourable to immigration. These restrictive attitudes are linked to such factors as the unemployment rate and risk of poverty, as well as to competition for employment and welfare resources. Refuting insider/outsider theories, this article shows, via an analysis of recent European Social Surveys, that national social protection policies can reduce hostility towards immigration, insofar as they moderate social inequality and the risk of poverty. Ethnic and racial differences are problematic for the ‘egalitarian compromise’ underpinning the welfare state. Nonetheless, strong trade unions and social protection policies are associated with greater integration of immigrants. Over time, the future sustainability of welfare systems may depend on the participation of immigrants as a political force, making their integration even more important.

Política de reinserción y funciones del trabajo en las prisiones. (El caso de Cataluña)

La politica penitenciaria en relacion al trabajo se debate entre dos opciones: por un lado, se concibe el trabajo como parte de una politica integral, combinada con otras medidas reeducadoras, y, por otro lado, se concibe el trabajo como una forma de devolucion de los danos sociales ocasionados por el delincuente. El trabajo tiene funciones positivas en la rehabilitacion y reinsercion social de los presos. El trabajo tiene importantes funciones para el aprendizaje y la estructuracion de la vida cotidiana en las carceles, en la ordenacion del tiempo dentro de ellas y en la construccion de la subjetividad de los presos. El trabajo mejora la autoestima.

Social protests, discontent and politics in southern and eastern Europe: Trends, patterns and polarisation

Taking into consideration the debate on the role of social movements and of trade unions in organising social protests, in the light of contentious and conventional politics, this article examines participation in demonstrations in Europe and the political attitudes of the participants. The article uses data from the European Social Survey to examine the differences and similarities between European countries in respect of mobilisation levels over the past decade, arguing that distrust and dissatisfaction with political institutions might be a necessary condition but not a sufficient one to justify resorting to contentious politics. The article reveals the contrasts between the levels of mobilisation in southern European countries (Portugal and Spain) and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries (Hungary and Poland) and examines the patterns and (re)configuration of the profile of the protestors in the 2002–2014 period.Taking into consideration the debate on the role of social movements and of trade unions in organising social protests, in the light of contentious and conventional politics, this article examines ...

A Canadian Immigration Model for Europe? Labour Market Uncertainty and Migration Policy in Canada, Germany and Spain

Abstract This article addresses the claim, particularly popular in the 2000s and implicitly resting on a segmentation view of the labour market, that a flexible labour market-driven immigration policy (within the EU as well as from outside), often associated to a ‘Canadian model’, would respond to the economic needs of continental European countries. A comparative historical approach is applied, including analysis of historical series of unemployment and migration data and a qualitative analysis of secondary sources on Germany, Spain and Canada, selected as best representatives of different labour market and immigration regimes. The research asks to what extent, and how, immigration has been used as a ‘buffer’ for labour market uncertainty. Against ideas of a ‘Canadian’ model advertised in Europe (e.g. Germany), the historical and quantitative analysis shows that Canada itself has moved from short-term labour market-driven immigration policies to more long-term approaches. In fact, there has been a stronger labour market-migration link in Spain, but not without problems, The article is a small-N comparison of critical cases, that is most different labour market models. Major demographic and geographic differences exist between the three countries, which raises even more scepticism about the suitability of a Canadian model in Europe. The policy implications are centred on the detected paradox of labour market-driven immigration policies: in order to be sustainable, they need to have a long-term orientation and involve some degree of social integration policies. The article adds to comparative studies of migration policies through a stronger link to labour market analysis and in particular issues of uncertainty and segmentation.

Pension reforms and the crisis

On 7 July 2010 the European Commission launched its Green Paper on EU pension reform, stating that ‘as the number of pensioners in Europe rises, and the relative number of people of working age declines, further reforms are needed if adequate pensions are to remain sustainable’. The Commission has clearly underlined the need to raise the retirement age throughout Europe. Presenting the Green Paper, EU Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner László Andor said that ‘the choice we face is poorer pensioners, higher pension contributions or more people working more and longer’. However the EU’s ‘marge de manouevre’ for defining pensions policy in Member States is limited, with pensions the responsibility of national governments. The initiative is therefore bound to generate controversy in EU Member States. In addition to the demographic problem threatening the sustainability of pension systems, the financial and economic crisis has led a number of countries to announce plans to modify pension systems and raise the retirement age as part of austerity measures to cope with debt crises. The crisis might even be used as a pretext to move towards a neoliberal agenda threatening the first pillar of social protection and pensions. Recent developments in certain countries document how challenging the pension reform issue is in relation to these countries’ social protection models and traditions and to the effects the financial and economic crisis is having on their overall situation. In this article Members of the Transfer Editorial Committee highlight some of the recent developments in France, Ireland and Spain as well as in the new Member States, illustrating the considerable diversity not only in terms of how systems are configured, but also in terms of government policies and trade union reactions.

Employment and working conditions of migrant workers

labour market, especially if they have very different ethnic origins. The growth in numbers of migrants in an irregular situation has only exacerbated this trend. Immigration transforms the host society’s institutions and society as a whole, while at the same time raising fears about a loss of national identity. However, it also lowers the average age of the working population and contributes to economic growth and the maintenance of the welfare state.