Tackling Precarious Work: Toward Sustainable Livelihoods
本书探讨不稳定工作对个人和社会的影响，从产业与组织心理学视角提出促进可持续生计的策略，强调终身学习、技能发展、工作生活平衡及社会安全网的作用。
In the contemporary global labour market precarious work is identified as a primary challenge, having a significant negative impacton individuals, organisations, and communities. This book aims to explore the effects of precarious work on individuals and society and seeks strategies to promote more sustainable and dignified work. The research questions focus on the current state, causes, and consequences of precarious work. Accordingly, the study employs various methodologies, including academic research and case analyses, to comprehensively examine the phenomenon of precarious work. Industrial and organisational psychology (I/O psychology) is utilised to investigate methods to mitigate precarious work and promote the maintenance of sustainable livelihoods. The study emphasises that the concept of sustainable livelihoods transcends the traditional boundaries of jobs and careers, introducing the importance of lifelong learning, skills development, and work-life balance as response strategies. Findings indicate that I/O psychology has the potential to play a role in reducing precarious work, with a need to balance psychological contract theory with principles of equity and justice. Additionally, the roles of trade unions and state policy interventions are highlighted as significant influences in stabilising the labour market. The conclusion underscores the profound impact of precarious work on individuals and society, as well as the existing research gaps, particularly regarding the psychological dimensions of precarious work, which necessitate further exploration. Hence, the study calls for future research to focus more on these aspects to provide more comprehensive solutions, thereby fostering more sustainable and dignified work environments. Within the context of precarious employment, the role of the social safety net is crucial in alleviating the negative impacts of such jobs and safeguarding worker wellbeing. The book examines several insights into addressing precarious employment through social safety mechanisms. Firstly, government regulation and social protection programmes are essential components of the social safety net, aimed at protecting workers from unemployment and significant income loss. These measures include income transfer schemes, health insurance, affordable housing and social insurance programmes, which are particularly important in coping with the unpredictability of precarious employment. Secondly, a robust social safety net can reduce the adverse effects of job insecurity on job satisfaction and organizational commitment; when employees feel protected by social safety measures, they can maintain higher job satisfaction and organizational loyalty even in precarious work environments. In countries with flexible labour market policies, comprehensive social safety nets can enhance life satisfaction by providing security and stability, especially for vulnerable groups such as blue-collar workers and temporary employees. The social safety net also plays a crucial role in addressing broader issues of precarious employment, offering essential resources and support to mitigate the stress and negative health impacts of unstable jobs, thereby improving overall wellbeing and human security. Furthermore, in the context of global mobility and social exclusion, the importance of social safety measures is highlighted, as social safety nets can help cross-border workers avoid exploitation and ensure their integration into local labour markets. The book offers an exhaustive examination of the impacts of unemployment, the role of trade unions, psychological contract theory and state intervention on precarious employment, emphasizing the importance of re-employment, trade union involvement, psychological contracts and national policies in promoting sustainable livelihoods. It highlights the negative impacts of unemployment on individuals, families and society, advocating quick and high-quality re-employment as the optimal solution. Trade unions play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of precarious employment, with evidence showing the importance of agreements signed by unions. Psychological contract theory is presented as a valuable tool for understanding and addressing precarious employment, aiding in the formulation of more sustainable work agreements. While state policies have the potential to protect workers, challenges remain, and the book details the role of state legislative intervention. It also identifies gaps in current research, particularly at the systemic level, calling for strategy formulation based on research to promote decent work. The book's contribution lies in adopting an interdisciplinary approach, offering a deep understanding of the implications of low-wage work, challenging conventional views and emphasizing social justice in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. It underscores the significance of sustainable livelihoods for economic and social development. However, the book has certain limitations. Firstly, its definitions are vague; while it highlights the terminological confusion and ambiguous definitions surrounding the informal sector, this may impede effective decision-making and academic discussion, limiting the practical applicability of research findings. Additionally, despite acknowledging the lack of psychological insight in studies and policy actions regarding the informal sector, it falls short of explaining how to integrate psychological theories and methods to enhance understanding and intervention capabilities. There is a need to integrate psychological theories and methods to better understand and address precarious employment. Moreover, it does not sufficiently discuss the deficiencies of ‘pay systems’. Although research indicates issues such as dual records at the supplier level, unpaid wages, unpaid overtime and non-payment of minimum wages, the author does not thoroughly explore the root causes of these problems or provide effective solutions. Furthermore, although the book emphasizes the importance of ‘sustainable livelihoods’, it lacks in-depth analysis and recommendations on specific measures such as skills training, entrepreneurship support and the improvement of social security systems. The book's solutions to precarious employment, such as labour regulations, technology applications and sociocultural changes, while valuable, lack specific case studies and practical experience sharing, potentially limiting readers’ understanding and application of these solutions. Future research is recommended to delve deeper into the psychological dimensions of precarious work, particularly the roles of social class, identity and entrenched stereotypes, and to formulate detailed policies and intervention strategies to transition precarious employment to sustainable livelihoods.