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Why do companies abuse their foreign workers?

By Catherine Connelly

Issue 31 // 15th April 2025

Companies hire temporary foreign workers for reliability and productivity, but employer-specific work permits create power imbalances that enable mistreatment—an issue best addressed by granting open work permits to protect workers’ rights and mobility Read more of the article

Temporary migrant workers: A vignette from the Canadian province of Quebec

By Patrice Jalette and Blandine Emilien

Issue 31 // 15th April 2025

Canada’s closed work permits make migrant workers vulnerable. Quebec employers rely on them, but real reform is needed beyond permit changes. Read more of the article

Precariousness at its worst: A union perspective

By Mouloud Idir

Issue 31 // 15th April 2025

Canada’s shift toward temporary migration prioritises economic needs over rights, prompting unions to push for fairer, more inclusive policies. Read more of the article

The economic and social contribution of the high-wage immigration programme in Canada

By Jean-Philippe Brunet

Issue 31 // 15th April 2025

Canada's immigration system, particularly for high-wage foreign workers, plays a crucial role in addressing labour shortages, driving innovation, and contributing to economic growth while fostering diversity and ensuring worker protections. Read more of the article

Editorial: PhD students and the Futures of Work

By Chris Pesterfield, Giorgos Gouzoulis, Vanessa Beck and Blandine Emilien

Issue 30 // 14th January 2025

This issue features five articles by PhD students, showing that while the future of work remains uncertain, the Futures of Work scholarship is thriving and hopeful. Read more of the article

Rewriting the rules of the gig economy: Can regulation really change the game?

By Angel Martin-Caballero

Issue 30 // 14th January 2025

Angel Martin-Caballero highlights how gig platforms disrupt labor markets, worsening conditions and posing regulatory challenges. He asks: Have things improved, or are precarious jobs just evolving? Read more of the article

Life and hell under the same roof: Colombian call centre workers’ job perceptions and emotional strategies

By Carlos Pineda Ramos

Issue 30 // 14th January 2025

Carlos Pineda Ramos explores how emotions in Colombian call centers are shaped by cultural, social, and economic forces, revealing workplace inequalities. Read more of the article

Are internships opportunities or barriers for young working-class people?

By Naomi Wells:

Issue 30 // 14th January 2025

Naomi Wells examines how unpaid internships deepen inequality, with a Labour ban potentially reducing opportunities. Companies must address socioeconomic biases to improve access to internships and jobs. Read more of the article

(Not) bright like a diamond: Exploring Surat’s diamond polishing hub during a protracted recession

By Kavya Bharadkar

Issue 30 // 14th January 2025

Kavya Bharadkar explores how recession in Surat’s diamond industry drives job cuts, unpaid leave, and rising worker distress, exposing deep structural flaws and the need for reform. Read more of the article

Reshaping responsibility: Platforms, clients and the online gig economy

By Karthika Nadarajah

Issue 30 // 14th January 2025

Karthika Nadarajah highlights how digital platforms reshape gig work, but client accountability is lacking. Shared responsibility models and clearer roles can balance fairness with innovation in the gig economy. Read more of the article