Annie Delaney | Self Employed (original) (raw)

Papers by Annie Delaney

Social Science Research Network, 2017

The chapter compares situationally different types of homework in the garment and footwear sector... more The chapter compares situationally different types of homework in the garment and footwear sectors in Australia and India. The two categories of informal homework exist in a highly gender segmented workforce that experiences regulation distance. The conceptual tool of invisibilization is used to analyze the work of homeworkers in national and global supply chains and identify the processes that contribute to homeworkers work being represented as non-work and as non-workers. Even though the Indian and Australian homeworkers differ with respect to regulation and recognition in the supply chain, both experience varying degrees of invisibilization. Invisibilization and homework connect the socio-political influences that accentuate gender inequalities through the devaluation of work, lack of collectivity, lack of social and legal protections and lack of capacity to access any protections.

Labour and industry: A journal of the social and economic relations of work, Apr 3, 2018

Perspectives on the informal economy having evolved over time from a notion of a separate and dis... more Perspectives on the informal economy having evolved over time from a notion of a separate and disappearing sector to a broader focus that takes account of the wide range of economic activities that comprise informal work and focuses on processes and on the interdependencies of the formal and informal economic spheres. In this article we consider contemporary thinking about informal work and ask how useful the concept is for understanding changes occurring in work and employment in developed as well as developing economies so as to develop interventions to generate decent work. We use the lens of informality to explore how analysis of work and employment outcomes might give a more central place to the political and social location and, in particular, to gender in the construction of poor jobs. We propose that the concept of informality offered by feminist and other critical approaches is suitable for the analysis of much contemporary informalisation in both developed and developing economy contexts. We also propose that analysis can be strengthened through the adoption of the concept of 'invisibilisation'. We examine some particular types of feminised informal work in which there are high levels of vulnerability and disadvantagehomework and domestic and care work. We conclude that the constructs of informal work and informalisation of work can be used to highlight how gendered institutional and social processes construct work as beyond the effective reach of regulation.

Labour and industry: A journal of the social and economic relations of work, Apr 3, 2018

This special issue examines the interaction of gender with informal work, processes of informalis... more This special issue examines the interaction of gender with informal work, processes of informalisation and experiences of informality as a defining feature of work under contemporary capitalism. The articles interrogate the interactions between the experiential, discursive and structural dimensions of informality as they emerge in relation to the social construction of gender relations. These analyses present a comprehensive survey of the 'continuum of practices' which constitute informality, and draws attention to the urgency of understanding the ways in which codified and social practices normalise, formalise and conceal the gendered dimensions of informality at work.

Routledge eBooks, Nov 13, 2018

Women, Labor Segmentation and Regulation, 2017

The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this p... more The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.

The Economic and Labour Relations Review, 2022

This article explores dominant entrepreneurship discourse and practice surrounding informal women... more This article explores dominant entrepreneurship discourse and practice surrounding informal women home-based workers, and their relationship to goals of individual empowerment. We argue that conventional neoliberal entrepreneurship discourse conflates empowerment and performativity, linking the capacity of women to develop greater agency with their incorporation into an economic regime with predetermined roles, labelled ‘empowerment’. Applying a critical lens, we analyse the development discourse on entrepreneurship and economic performativity in these terms – looking to understand the characteristics of empowerment concerning home-based workers in Bangladesh working for a fair-trade organisation and a domestic garment supply chain. We argue that the conflation of empowerment and performativity serves the convenience of neoliberal ideology rather than the empowerment needs of those to whom such discourses are applied. To complement our critique, based on the empowerment literature, ...

The Economic and Labour Relations Review, 2022

The Economic and Labour Relations Review, 2018

Labour markets in Australia have long been segmented by gender and race. This study compares two ... more Labour markets in Australia have long been segmented by gender and race. This study compares two highly gendered and racially segmented labour markets, home-based family day care workers and garment homeworkers. The comparative cases examine the broader trends of migration, production and consumption that reinforce gender and racial stereotypes, and discourses that underpin representations that women workers are ideally suited to such work. We theorise the gender and racialised inequalities of homework based on the literature on invisibilisation and social reproduction to explore the vulnerable position of migrant women and the consequences of having limited options, such as legal and social protections and any capacity to collectively organise. Our analysis examines the roles and responses of institutions and conceptualises the socio-political factors that affect the characterisation of homework as non-work or as self-employed entrepreneurial activities. By mapping the differing re...

The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) propose that ‘non-stat... more The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) propose that ‘non-state-based non-judicial grievance mechanisms’ have an important role to play in remedying human rights violations linked to transnational business, in addition to state-based judicial and non-judicial mechanisms. This report is one of the case studies of an Australian Research Council-funded project investigating the efficacy and potential of these kinds of grievance mechanisms. The report focuses on the Ethical Trading Initiative (‘ETI’), a UK-based multi-stakeholder initiative that promotes respect for the human rights listed in the ETI’s code of conduct (which is known as the ‘ETI Base Code’) within the supply chains of ETI-member companies. The report is primarily based on extensive field research conducted in India and the UK between late 2011 and late 2015, supplemented by more recent information provided by research participants and available in public reports.

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University of New South Wales Law Journal, 2017

This article is centrally concerned with the mechanisms and processes through which human rights ... more This article is centrally concerned with the mechanisms and processes through which human rights in transnational business practices can be respected and remedied when breached, with a particular focus on workers’ rights in global garment supply chains. The United Nations (‘UN’) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (‘UNGPs’) represent a high-level attempt to provide a normative framework for these issues.

Homework is form of labour characterised by precariousness, and lack of regulation of the work, a... more Homework is form of labour characterised by precariousness, and lack of regulation of the work, and invisibility and lack of protection of the workers, who are among the world’s poorest and most exploited. Homework i s spreading, due to such firm practices as outsourcing. On the other hand, CSR i s voluntary firm activity aimed at improving the social effects of firm behaviour. Based on a case-study of The Australian Homeworkers Code of Practice and the Fairwear Campaign, thi s paper analyses whether, and under what circumstances CSR might benefit homeworkers.

This report examines the contribution of a non-judicial mechanism designed to encourage respect f... more This report examines the contribution of a non-judicial mechanism designed to encourage respect for freedom of association within Indonesia’s export-oriented apparel and footwear sector. The Freedom of Association Protocol (the ‘Protocol’) is a multi-party agreement created by Indonesian unions, factory owners (‘suppliers’) and global brand-owning companies (‘brands’), including Nike, Adidas, Puma and New Balance. In Indonesia freedom of association is protected by legislation and union busting constitutes a criminal offence; however, implementation of these laws is weak and routine violations continue to occur. The Protocol establishes specific standards for freedom of association in participating factories, as well as grievance resolution procedures for violations of those standards. It currently applies to approximately 300,000 factory workers employed in industrial districts throughout Java, most of whom are young women. It was developed in the context of a long-running global c...

Social Science Research Network, 2017

Labour and industry: A journal of the social and economic relations of work, Apr 3, 2018

Routledge eBooks, Nov 13, 2018

Women, Labor Segmentation and Regulation, 2017

The Economic and Labour Relations Review, 2022

The Economic and Labour Relations Review, 2018

sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav

University of New South Wales Law Journal, 2017

This report is part of a series produced by the non-Judicial Human rights redress mechanisms Proj... more This report is part of a series produced by the non-Judicial Human rights redress mechanisms Project, which draws on the findings of five years of research. The findings are based on over 587 interviews, with 1,100 individuals, across the countries and case studies covered by the research. nonjudicial redress mechanisms are mandated to receive complaints and mediate grievances, but are not empowered to produce legally binding adjudications. The focus of the project is on analysing the effectiveness of these mechanisms in responding to alleged human rights violations associated with transnational business activity. The series presents lessons and recommendations regarding ways that: non-judicial mechanisms can provide redress and justice to vulnerable communities and • workers non-government organisations and worker representatives can more effectively utilise the • mechanisms to provide support for and represent vulnerable communities and workers redress mechanisms can contribute to long-term and sustainable respect and remedy of • human rights by businesses throughout their operations, supply chains and other business relationships.

A localised non-judicial grievance mechanism for workers' rights in global supply chains

in global supply chains? 2

Aboutthisreportseries this report is part of a series produced by the non-Judicial Human rights r... more Aboutthisreportseries this report is part of a series produced by the non-Judicial Human rights redress mechanisms Project, which draws on the findings of five years of research. the findings are based on over 587 interviews, with 1,100 individuals, across the countries and case studies covered by the research. nonjudicial redress mechanisms are mandated to receive complaints and mediate grievances, but are not empowered to produce legally binding adjudications. the focus of the project is on analysing the effectiveness of these mechanisms in responding to alleged human rights violations associated with transnational business activity. the series presents lessons and recommendations regarding ways that: non-judicial mechanisms can provide redress and justice to vulnerable communities and • workers non-government organisations and worker representatives can more effectively utilise the • mechanisms to provide support for and represent vulnerable communities and workers redress mechanisms can contribute to long-term and sustainable respect and remedy of • human rights by businesses throughout their operations, supply chains and other business relationships.

This report is part of a series produced by the Non-Judicial Human Rights Redress Mechanisms Proj... more This report is part of a series produced by the Non-Judicial Human Rights Redress Mechanisms Project, which draws on the findings of five years of research. The findings are based on over 587 interviews, with 1,100 individuals, across the countries and case studies covered by the research. Non-judicial redress mechanisms are mandated to receive complaints and mediate grievances, but are not empowered to produce legally binding adjudications. The focus of the project is on analysing the effectiveness of these mechanisms in responding to alleged human rights violations associated with transnational business activity. The series presents lessons and recommendations regarding ways that:

This research project addresses the urgent need to provide vulnerable workers and communities wit... more This research project addresses the urgent need to provide vulnerable workers and communities with more effective means of defending their human rights when these are violated by businesses based in countries elsewhere in the world. It involves twelve case studies in the agribusiness, mining and garment sectors in India and Indonesia.

CSR is voluntary firm activity aimed at improving the social effects of firm behaviour. Currently... more CSR is voluntary firm activity aimed at improving the social effects of firm behaviour. Currently, CSR seems to be associated with superficial social outcomes. What could firms do to perform better in CSR? This paper utilises evidence from an Australian, community-union collaboration, undertaken to make improvements for home-based workers in the informal economy. Home-based work is spreading, due to such firm practices as outsourcing. Informal work is characterised by precariousness, lack of regulation of the work, and invisibility and lack of protection of the workers, who are among the world's poorest and most exploited. This paper suggests that firms must make significant organisational innovations in order to advance CSR performance.

Homeworking Women: A Gender Justice Perspective, 2018

Annie Delaney, Rosaria Burchielli, Shelley Marshall and Jane Tate, Homeworking Women: A Gender Ju... more Annie Delaney, Rosaria Burchielli, Shelley Marshall and Jane Tate, Homeworking Women: A Gender Justice Perspective Routledge, 2018

There is a hidden workforce of women that working from home making products sourced by global brands in long supply chains, while receiving below minimum wage. They are part of the 60% of all workers worldwide that toil in informal conditions, unregulated by labour laws and unorganised by unions. They work long hours, and mainly they work at home because they have little choice, they are expected to raise children, look after the family and care for others.

‘Homeworking Women’, proposes a gender justice approach to counteract the underlying causes of injustices – capitalism and patriarchy. A gender justice perspective helps us to understand why homeworkers face injustice and ways to counter this. The gender justice perspective highlights four dimensions of gender-justice (recognition, representation, rights and redistribution) these dimensions demonstrate strategic approaches to improve homeworkers work rights, social and legal protection and organising.

The book outlines initiatives that have supported homeworkers along the lines of the gender-justice dimensions. These include research and various regulatory approaches, social movement approaches and networks of resistance to help organising and organisation building with homeworkers.

“The injustices experienced by women homeworkers across the globe are shockingly familiar, systemic and exploitative. This way of working stands as capitals extreme model of distancing those with the power from those doing the work. Importantly this book analyses the problem and takes us to the powerful change that is possible through homeworkers collectively organising.”
Michele O’Neil President of Australian Council of Trade Unions

A key finding is that the organising approach is the only initiative that can achieve positive outcomes in all four dimensions of justice for homeworkers. Homeworkers need to organise to address the imbalances created under capitalism and patriarchy, such as increasing homeworker voice, their capacity to participate in civil society and ability to renegotiate their social, political and economic conditions, supported by sympathetic groups and organisations. Researchers, government, corporations, unions, NGOs, and social movements actors can take action to support homeworkers to achieve this.