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Superfluous Jobs in Extractive Industries: The Usefulness/Uselessness of Job Creation after Dispossession

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  • Sara Geenen

    (University of Antwerp, Belgium; Université Catholique de Bukavu (UCB), Democratic Republic of Congo)

  • Mollie Gleiberman

    (University of Antwerp, Belgium)

Abstract

Job creation has become central to the global development agenda. Extractive industries in particular highlight employment opportunities for the host communities in which they operate through direct, indirect and induced jobs. Exploring literature on surplus populations/dispossession and distributive politics/Corporate Social Responsibility and using evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo, we scrutinize the idea of job creation in the extractive industries as a development strategy. We argue that (1) superfluous jobs are being created to keep people alive yet silent in the wake of dispossession; and that (2) while they may help certain people to ‘stay alive’, these jobs also produce new inequalities and further marginalization.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Geenen & Mollie Gleiberman, 2023. "Superfluous Jobs in Extractive Industries: The Usefulness/Uselessness of Job Creation after Dispossession," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 37(2), pages 394-411, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:37:y:2023:i:2:p:394-411
    DOI: 10.1177/09500170211008721
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Geenen, Sara, 2019. "Gold and godfathers: Local content, politics, and capitalism in extractive industries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 1-1.
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    5. Geenen, Sara, 2014. "Dispossession, displacement and resistance: Artisanal miners in a gold concession in South-Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 90-99.
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    7. Todd Moss & Lauren Young, 2009. "Saving Ghana from Its Oil: The Case for Direct Cash Distribution," Working Papers 186, Center for Global Development.
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