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Tackling Precarious Work in Public Supply Chains: A Comparison of Local Government Procurement Policies in Denmark, Germany and the UK

Author

Listed:
  • Karen Jaehrling

    (University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany)

  • Mathew Johnson

    (University of Manchester, UK)

  • Trine P Larsen

    (University of Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Bjarke Refslund

    (Aalborg University, Denmark)

  • Damian Grimshaw

    (International Labour Organisation, Switzerland)

Abstract

Through a cross-national comparative study of local government ‘best practice cases’ of socially responsible procurement in Denmark, Germany and the UK, this article critically examines the role of labour clauses in addressing issues of low wages and precarious work in public supply chains. It provides new insights on the negotiations and outcomes of labour clauses across different stages of the policy process, including implementation and monitoring. The analysis demonstrates the importance of pragmatic alliances of progressive local politicians, unions and employers in ensuring that socially responsible procurement moves beyond rhetoric, along with supportive national and sectoral employment regimes. Labour clauses can compensate for weak systems of labour market regulation by setting higher standards for outsourced workers, while they play a complementary role in more regulated labour markets by levelling up wages and working conditions to prevailing collectively agreed standards.

Suggested Citation

  • Karen Jaehrling & Mathew Johnson & Trine P Larsen & Bjarke Refslund & Damian Grimshaw, 2018. "Tackling Precarious Work in Public Supply Chains: A Comparison of Local Government Procurement Policies in Denmark, Germany and the UK," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 32(3), pages 546-563, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:32:y:2018:i:3:p:546-563
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017018758216
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sean O'Brady, 2021. "Fighting precarious work with institutional power: Union inclusion and its limits across spheres of action," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 59(4), pages 1084-1107, December.
    2. Anna Mori, 2024. "Explaining varieties of social solidarity in supply chains: Actors, institutions and market risks distribution in outsourced public services," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 62(2), pages 449-479, June.
    3. Laura Carver & Virginia Doellgast, 2021. "Dualism or solidarity? Conditions for union success in regulating precarious work," European Journal of Industrial Relations, , vol. 27(4), pages 367-385, December.
    4. Florian Becker-Ritterspach & Maria L. Allen & Knut Lange & Matthew M. C. Allen, . "Home-country measures to support outward foreign direct investment: variation and consequences," UNCTAD Transnational Corporations Journal, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
    5. Gabriella Alberti & Ioulia Bessa & Kate Hardy & Vera Trappmann & Charles Umney, 2018. "In, Against and Beyond Precarity: Work in Insecure Times," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 32(3), pages 447-457, June.

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