Exploitation of casual workers

Discrimination against itinerant labour
Prejudicial treatment of contract labour

Nature

Casual workers, of whom there is a disproportionately high number of women, are paid less than their regularly employed counterparts; cannot participate in employees benefits; are largely excluded from the protection of labour legislation and trade union affiliation; and are shown, due to the declining purchasing power of their low wages, to have a high incidence of malnutrition. Entrepreneurs using casual workers tend to have difficulties in forecasting their budgets and to exploit such workers, who may well be a new kind of marginality that could easily lead to social unrest.

Incidence

The exploitation of casual workers is a pervasive issue affecting millions globally, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), approximately 1.5 billion workers are engaged in informal employment, with a significant portion lacking access to basic rights and protections. This phenomenon is especially pronounced in developing countries, where labor laws may be weak or poorly enforced, leading to widespread underpayment, unsafe working conditions, and job insecurity.
A notable instance of this exploitation occurred in 2019 in the agricultural sector of California, USA, where a group of farmworkers reported being paid below the minimum wage and denied overtime compensation. The workers, primarily engaged in harvesting fruits and vegetables, faced intimidation and retaliation when they sought to address their grievances, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by casual laborers in the industry.

Claim

The exploitation of casual workers is a pressing and urgent issue that demands our attention. These individuals, often lacking job security and benefits, are subjected to unfair wages and grueling conditions. This systemic abuse not only undermines their dignity but also perpetuates economic inequality. Society must recognize that casual workers deserve respect, fair treatment, and protection. Ignoring their plight is a moral failure that threatens the very fabric of our workforce and community.

Counter-claim

The notion that the exploitation of casual workers is a significant problem is exaggerated. Casual work offers flexibility and opportunities for many individuals who prefer not to be tied to traditional employment. Workers willingly accept these roles, understanding the trade-offs involved. Instead of focusing on alleged exploitation, we should celebrate the freedom and choice that casual work provides. Overemphasizing this issue detracts from the real challenges in the labor market that deserve our attention.