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Dimensions of Atypical Forms of Employment in Thessaloniki, Greece

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  • STELIOS GIALIS
  • ELEUTHERIA KARNAVOU

Abstract

Post‐Fordist reconstitutions in economy and society are positively related with the expansion of atypical employment. This article argues that many of the claims that an increase in atypical forms promotes less rigid labour markets rely on narrow readings of official statistics and also underestimate different local labour realities. Drawing upon case studies in Thessaloniki's Labour Inspectorates and industrial enterprises, it highlights the fact that Greek labour markets, which are already flexible enough, have been rearranged to accommodate new use patterns for atypical forms, both traditional and modern. A controversially expanding trend towards part‐time and temporary work and non‐agricultural self‐employment is discussed. This trend is traced to trades, sectors, industries and firms that have developed distinct patterns in the exploitation of atypical employment within the context of locally constituted social and regulatory practices that interact with globalized capital accumulation procedures. The expansion of atypical employment is examined along two interpretative lines, the one focusing on the effect of recent reforms on small industrial enterprises, the other analysing post‐Fordist, flexible socio‐spatial restructurings. Résumé Les reconstitutions post‐fordistes en matière d'économie et de société sont bien liées à l'essor d'un emploi atypique. De nombreuses affirmations selon lesquelles une multiplication de formes atypiques favorise des marchés du travail moins rigides reposent sur des lectures étriquées des statistiques officielles, tout en sous‐estimant les diverses réalités locales du travail. À partir d'études de cas issues des Inspections du travail et d'entreprises industrielles de Thessalonique, il est mis en évidence que les marchés du travail grecs, déjà suffisamment flexibles, ont été remodulés en fonction de nouveaux schémas d'utilisation adaptés à des formes atypiques, tant traditionnelles que modernes. Est analysée ici une tendance discutable à l'accroissement du travail temporaire, du temps partiel et de l'emploi indépendant non‐agricole. Cette tendance est repérée dans les métiers, secteurs, industries et entreprises qui ont élaboré des schémas distincts d'exploitation d'un emploi atypique dans le cadre de pratiques réglementaires et sociales établies localement qui interagissent avec les procédures mondialisées d'accumulation du capital. L'essor d'un emploi atypique est étudié selon deux axes interprétatifs, l'un s'attachant à l'incidence des réformes récentes sur les petites entreprises industrielles, l'autre analysant les restructurations socio‐spatiales flexibles post‐fordistes.

Suggested Citation

  • Stelios Gialis & Eleutheria Karnavou, 2008. "Dimensions of Atypical Forms of Employment in Thessaloniki, Greece," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(4), pages 882-902, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijurrs:v:32:y:2008:i:4:p:882-902
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2427.2008.00813.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jonathan Pratschke & Enrica Morlicchio, 2012. "Social Polarisation, the Labour Market and Economic Restructuring in Europe: An Urban Perspective," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 49(9), pages 1891-1907, July.
    2. Alexis Ioannides & Eleni Oxouzi & Stavros Mavroudeas, 2014. "All work and no … pay? Unpaid overtime in Greece: determining factors and theoretical explanations," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(1), pages 39-55, January.
    3. Stelios Gialis, 2012. "Integration a few kilometres away from the motherland: Albanians' internal migration, settlement and voluntary return in Epirus and the Ionian Islands in Greece," Migration Letters, Migration Letters, vol. 9(2), pages 141-154, May.

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