Work, Anti-work and Labour Issues

We spend a lot of our lives engaged on many different types of work and labour, many of which are exploitive, carry specific and intersecting forms of oppression, or are devalued in a highly gendered and racist society. Work is not inherently bad – contemporary and traditional societies all over the world have had beneficial and meaningful work practices. Understanding how and why we work is an important part of starting to unravel the harmful systems we are a part of now.

Marginalised and Oppressive Labour

The Legal Concept of Employment: Marginalising Workers (2002), Judy Fudge, Eric Tucker and Leah Vosko of York University

Systemic Racism in Employment in Canada

Working Precariously: The impact of race and immigrants status on employment opportunities and outcomes in Canada (2005), Centre for Social Justice and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation

Working Conditions

HOMEWORKING: HOME OFFICE OR HOME SWEATSHOP? Report on Current Conditions of Homeworkers in Toronto’s Garment Industry (1999), Centre for the Study of Education and Work

Removing Barriers to Work: Flexible Employment Options for People with Disabilities in BC (2008), Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Labour Issues

Working for a Living Wage” making paid work meet basic family needs in Vancouver and Victoria (2008),  Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives

A Green Industrial Revolution: Climate Justice, Green Jobs, and Sustainable Production in Canada.” (2012) Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.