Lee Jonathan Pegler | Institute of Social Studies, The Hague

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Papers by Lee Jonathan Pegler

This study aims to further understanding and inform the dialogue among the International Labour O... more This study aims to further understanding and inform the dialogue among the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) constituents about the human resources implications of global food value chains. This report presents the results of research to understand the implications of global food chains for decent work, firm productivity and competitiveness. The study is based on a hypothesis that Decent Work (as defined by the ILO) is an important condition for greater productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of businesses operating in global food chains. Its objectives are to examine qualitative transformations of employment and job creation under a variety of business models and the extent to which elements of the decent work agenda influence firm productivity.

Cadernos Metrópole, Dec 1, 2013

This paper addresses the fraught relationships among commodity trade, urban economic development ... more This paper addresses the fraught relationships among commodity trade, urban economic development and the environment in the world's largest rainforest reserve, in a historical narrative fashion. The conceptual framework in which we position this narrative is provided by Hesse (2010), in the "site" and "situation" dimensions of the interaction between places or locales on the one hand, and material flows or global value chains on the other. It is argued that the assemblage of both site and situation is what shapes the wealth of cities. The case study of Manaus and Belém shows how the rapid urbanization of the Amazon rainforest is accompanied by the growth of shipping as "new" commodities are being extracted from the jungle interior.

Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Background 1.2 Statement of the Problem 1.3 Objectives and Research Qu... more Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Background 1.2 Statement of the Problem 1.3 Objectives and Research Questions 1.4 Research Methods, Sample size and Limitations 1.5 Research Strategy and Limitations

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2018

This article explores the effect of an evolving global value chain (GVC) on the livelihoods and l... more This article explores the effect of an evolving global value chain (GVC) on the livelihoods and labor processes of traditional communities, a theme of great conjecture within the literature. We review the impact of the new surge of demand for açaí within four traditional communities in Amapá, along with their production processes and work divisions within a specific understanding of their sense of territory. The research was conducted with field work involving participant observation, interviews, questionnaires and photographic records. The results allowed detailing the actors, the organization, the (informal) contractual process and the form of governance within the chain. The paper highlights how rising demand creates new conflicts and uncertainties for chain governance, and that this is directly linked to the nature of contractual informality and communal property rights. This adds to existing concerns with respect to the prospect of communities/labor gains (social upgrading) as a result of GVC insertion.

Disasters, Dec 1, 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has been a massive disaster in Brazil, causing more than 350,000 deaths as ... more The Covid-19 pandemic has been a massive disaster in Brazil, causing more than 350,000 deaths as of April 2021. Moreover, President Jair Bolsonaro suggested that already marginalised groups should take what came to them, as if they were an expendable surplus in his necropolitical perspective. However, civil society initiatives are emerging to tackle the impacts of this crisis. This paper adds to current literature on the forms and levels of resistance to disasters, using primary and secondary data pertaining to three key Brazilian groups: domestic workers; the urban poor in favelas; and indigenous Amazonians. The analysis indicates that their historical, political resistance has been a foundation upon which to develop disaster mitigation and their actions have built on and gone beyond previous modes of organising. More specifically, their responses have replaced a 'present-absent' federal government, entailed local, innovative adaptations, led to new public-private sector relations, and may offer the prospect of consolidation.

RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, Mar 15, 2021

The Institute of Social Studies is Europe's longest-established centre of higher education and re... more The Institute of Social Studies is Europe's longest-established centre of higher education and research in development studies. On 1 July 2009, it became a University Institute of the Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). Postgraduate teaching programmes range from six-week diploma courses to the PhD programme. Research at ISS is fundamental in the sense of laying a scientific basis for the formulation of appropriate development policies. The academic work of ISS is disseminated in the form of books, journal articles, teaching texts, monographs and working papers. The Working Paper series provides a forum for work in progress which seeks to elicit comments and generate discussion. The series includes academic research by staff, PhD participants and visiting fellows, and award-winning research papers by graduate students.

textabstractCooperatives are often seen as an effective and participative way of mobilizing worke... more textabstractCooperatives are often seen as an effective and participative way of mobilizing workers, especially in times of crisis. In recent years many organisations have advocated cooperatives as mechanisms of voice, security and social justice, not just within a specific production setting but also, within Global Value Chains (GVCs) (FBB 2004; Utting 2015). What is not clear is whether such labour process contexts generate the conditions (re: Kelly 1998; Atzeni 2009) of injustice necessary to cement and retain effective mobilization and representation? The specific questions we turn to in this paper are - to what degree does mobilization (into cooperatives) have to be driven by a sense of injustice? That is, what form(s) might this sense of injustice need to take? Secondly, what role do external actors (e.g. agencies of assistance; buyers; suppliers) or structural “imperatives” (e.g. organizational form) play in the ongoing (cooperative) development process without compromising i...

Cities, Regions and Flows, 2012

Labour outcomes within GPNs are frequently negative or problematic, especially at the beginning o... more Labour outcomes within GPNs are frequently negative or problematic, especially at the beginning of value chains (Barrientos et al 2011; Pegler 2015). This is generally considered to have a strong relation to governance processes, thus the nature of regulation and corporate responsibility norms. Yet there are few studies of this governance-labour relation from a multiple product, “whole” chain (e.g. from production to port/s to sales) level and within a comparable context. How might such comparisons of governance processes help us understand power dynamics and promote more socially sustainable GPNs? This paper reflects on this question using an ongoing cross-country, interdisciplinary study of chain governance and labour outcomes between various Brazilian production locations, Rotterdam port (the most significant for Brazil/ second largest globally) and beyond. The contrasts and comparisons in labour fortunes between, for example, “old” (e.g. oranges), “new” (e.g. acai) and “alternat...

This paper develops a theoretically informed explanation of control, representation and recruitme... more This paper develops a theoretically informed explanation of control, representation and recruitment of workers at the beginning of agricultural value chains and of income and social insecurities embedded in them. Its focus is on asparagus farming in the Philippines, tomato production in Brazil and cotton cultivation in Pakistan. The case studies analyse processes of risk allocation and representation, the delegation and removal of skilful tasks or changing management models for remuneration and employment security. They also include socio-demographic characteristics that preexisted workers" recruitment to explain the persistence of poverty and insecurity of workers after inclusion into global value chains.

The Journal of Peasant Studies, 2015

This paper identifies impacts of value chain inclusion on labour from a social sustainability per... more This paper identifies impacts of value chain inclusion on labour from a social sustainability perspective. It focusses on the tasks, livelihoods and subjectivities of Amazonian flood plain peasants (ribeirinhos) who collect açaí for sale to an expanding market. The ‘logic’ of ribeirinho chain inclusion is explored using a combination of labour process and human security indicators. While household income benefits can be significant, gains may be threatened by monoculture trends and local power structures. Human security indicators suggest further caution. Whilst ribeirinhos remain very ‘flexible’ workers, chain engagement entails insecurities, as highlighted by their variable views of collectivity and contradictory positions with respect to sustainability. Sustainable chain prognoses require a deeper understanding of agents' means and of the preferred choices and voice of those working at the beginning of chains.

Revista Pós Ciências Sociais, 2015