Abstract: At the core of colonial and apartheid social engineering was a spatial strategy based on institutions infrastructure linking together rural homesteads villages, mining centers towns. In case industry, single-sex compounds were set up as foundation control over black labor. this paper we examine how various forms operated. We locate our contribution within labor geography literature. argue that it not only state major corporations shaped landscapes control. regard highlight...

The life of Maria Dlamini, a contract cleaner at the University Witwatersrand, is used to explore continuities and discontinuities between apartheid labour regime neoliberal, post‐apartheid order in South Africa. As African institutions have adopted neoliberal market strategies, growth contracting‐out cleaning has intensified work reduced wages benefits for many workers. Significantly, as was case with migrant labor system under apartheid, it also increasingly displaced burden social...

The advent of democracy in South Africa has brought a number benefits and opened spaces for union mobilization. It also set motion processes that undermine solidarity. This article takes the most influential trade Africa's history, National Union Mineworkers, as case study to explore this paradox. On basis data generated by range research methods, authors three themes: occupational mobility black mineworkers, attempts at authoritarian restoration through subcontracting, employment women...

In the absence of a levelling out income and resources, as well arbitrary violence in everyday life, post-apartheid social order is characterised by formation various enclaves. platinum mining town Rustenburg, these enclaves are constructed on foundations apartheid categories ‘suburb’, ‘compound’, ‘township’ ‘homeland’. Such include security villages, converted compounds with access control, informal settlements distinctive gender, linguistic class formations. The article draws David...

An analysis of the privatised steel monopoly ArcelorMittal’s operations in South Africa is used to raise questions about power multinational corporations relation state. The article focuses on manufacturer’s externalisation environmental, social and economic costs onto communities upstream consumers steel. grounded two places where production networks ‘touch down’: Vanderbijlpark south Gauteng, ArelorMittal manufactures steel, Ezakheni KwaZulu-Natal, a household appliance manufacturer uses...

Bieler makes this assessment of Grounding Globalization (GG): the book 'constitutes a significant contribution to our understanding neo-liberal globalization, its impact on workers and possible ways resisting'. 1 Our rejoinder four interventions reflects these three core issues advance debate unfolding crises neo-liberalism prospects might herald for effective resistance.In so doing we identify priority research areas in new field global labour studies (GLS).In view, aim GLS is clarification...

ABSTRACT Mine and worker Occupational Health Safety (OHS) remains crucial given the historically dismal record of fatalities accidents in mining South Africa. OHS also played a central role resurgence trade unionism black African mineworkers 1980s. While literature has workplace as its predominant focus, this article explores three factors relating to conditions external beyond production: subcontracting, illegal inter-union rivalry. By drawing on empirical studies conducted over two...

Abstract This paper addresses an important but often neglected theme in debates on globalisation—the consequences for workers of engagement global markets, particularly those who are retrenched the process. Using South African textiles industry as a case study, investigates impact workers' household livelihoods industrial restructuring following trade liberalisation 1990s. Interviews with textile and were conducted five locations three provinces—the Western Cape, Eastern Cape...

Abstract This paper compares the way garment factory workers in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho experience interaction between mechanisms for inspecting labour codes of conduct government functions trade unions. In Africa there was little awareness potential impact such instruments on working conditions. Lesotho, where is a high profile campaign, are more aware codes, but confusion over who visitors to factories are, corporate whitewash, limit instruments. all three countries perceived...

Abstract Workers in the garment manufacturing industry are often subjected to violations of their rights and exposed low wages difficult working conditions. In response exposure these media, major fashion brands retailers subject suppliers labour codes conduct. Despite conduct being largely ineffective, this comparative case study manufacturers operating from Lesotho Eswatini illustrates that such provide workers trade unions with access bargaining leverage they would otherwise not have. A...

Abstract The aim of this article is to shed more light on some the ways in which subcontracted labour organised by proposing four typologies as possible descriptive models. It argued that use largely a form managerial control, but it inherently has certain ‘limits’ system been abolished cases for other modes control. also introduction sophisticated information technology (IT) can address these extent, and be seen contributing factor might account increase used tandem with forms provides...