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A body of research on migrant workers and trade unions, undertaken by the university's Global Economy and Business Research Unit from 2006 onwards, contributed to improving workplace equity, inclusion and societal cohesion following the mass and super-mobile migration to the United Kingdom from the European Union's New Member States, and Poland in particular. The impact occurred at regional, national and European level through influencing policy-making processes and forums. A range of stakeholders and practitioners benefited, principally large trade union organisations and their clients, including the Communication Workers Union, European Public Service Unions, and the Polish trade union bodies Solidarnosc and OPZZ.
The impacts on policy makers, employment law and industrial relations outlined in this case study have emerged from the research by Dr Steve French into migrant workers in the UK. The overall impact of this research has been to raise awareness of the characteristics of employment in `migrant-dense' sectors, poor employment practices for migrant (and indigenous) workers, and the mismatch between the skills and employment of migrant workers. Findings of this research have been used: in debates about and development of an Employment Bill in 2008; in the restructuring of a trade union representing low-paid and low-skilled workers in an area in economic decline (North Staffordshire); and to ensure better understanding by practitioners of migrant worker issues resulting in improvement of services for this group.
Professor Sonia McKay researched the relationship between precarious work and migration for the (European) Directorate General for Employment, Social affairs and Equality, ACAS, the Health and Safety Executive and the European Union's Framework 6 programme. She found new forms of employment relationships are emerging from the convergence of precarious work, migration and the current economic crisis with increases in informal working and concentration of precarity among certain groups such as Roma. While migration policies based on closing borders in EU countries increases the numbers of undocumented migrants and intensifies exploitation McKay's work has led to some changes in policies and practices.
Research at Bradford identified barriers encountered by trade unions when recruiting black and minority ethnic (BME) and migrant workers within Yorkshire and the Humber. Specific recommendations were made which influenced the Trade Union Congress (TUC) policy on BME recruitment, community engagement and anti-fascist campaigns. Several affiliated trade unions adopted research recommendations to develop community approaches. The recommendations were subsequently integrated into a national TUC policy document, Swords of Justice and Civil Pillars, resulting in a policy change at national level in respect of community engagement.
The research for the Low Pay Commission was designed to investigate whether the enforcement of the UK's national minimum wage was effective, through the experiences of workers and employers. It showed that despite the law, only a minority of workers found to have been underpaid received their arrears in full and without detriment. The LPC subsequently called upon the government to amend the legislation to provide a more significant deterrent to non-compliance on payment of arrears. This change was implemented through the Employment Act 2008. As a result £722,000 in arrears has been paid and 1,417 workers have benefited.
Europe needs better social services as its population ages. However, low pay and status are making recruitment and retention difficult. EU public procurement rules are transferring services to the private and not-for-profit sectors where there is limited scope for effective social dialogue. Jane Lethbridge's research has led EPSU affiliates to understand the trends and realise the importance of European-level action. This awareness informed EPSU's 2009 Congress decisions, which prioritised future social services social dialogue work. By 2012, EPSU had started to discuss how to support an EU Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee where it will be the trade union social partner.
The regulation of labour immigration and the rights of migrant workers are among the most contested public policy issues in high-income countries. Oxford research by Ruhs and Anderson, in conjunction with Martin (UC Davis), on how labour markets, welfare states and other public policies shape the demand for migrant workers, has directly impacted on: labour immigration policymaking in the UK (via the recommendations of the Migration Advisory Committee); the development of legislation for comprehensive immigration reform in the US; and policy debates in the Netherlands. The related research by Ruhs on the trade-offs between openness and rights in labour immigration policymaking has also informed debates and proposals about the global governance of international labour migration at the United Nations and other international institutions.
Research at Oxford, conducted by Roger Undy, assessed the efficacy of 68 transfers and 45 amalgamations of British trade unions and deeply affected the merger strategies of three unions: the IPMS (Institute of Professional, Managers and Specialists); UNIFI (Banking and Finance Union); and PTC (Public Services, Tax and Commerce Union). Each of these unions participated in the research and commissioned associated studies which examined, inter-alia, the relative advantage of the status quo as against a merger; the merits of different merger partners; and the post-merger organization of the new union. By 2012, these unions, assisted by this research, had radically changed their job territories, and internal organization, via a series of mergers. Subsequently, Unionen (Sweden's largest union) made improvements in its services, benefits, and bargaining power thanks to Undy's research. This impact continues to take effect across other unions, demonstrating the progressive and cumulative effect, and the national and international reach, of the impact of this research.
Core labour rights have a crucial role in achieving economic prosperity and political stability on a national and global scale. The emergence of complex global trade networks has raised important questions as to how such rights could be implemented and enforced across multiple supply chains and geographical borders. Research at the Centre for Labour Market Studies, School of Management, Leicester has helped the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the EU understand the advantages and risks associated with International Framework Agreements (IFAs), particularly regarding their implementation in supply chains. IFAs have emerged as a specific instrument to secure core labour rights and shift the onus away from nation states. Between 2000 and 2013 the number of IFAs in operation around the world increased from five to more than 100, directly benefiting more than 10 million workers and indirectly benefiting tens of millions more. Leicester research has played a part in understanding the dynamics of IFAs and developing more effective ones.
Dr Stephen Woolcock's research on EU trade and trade policy, with particular focus on free trade agreements, underpins the work of the LSE's International Trade Policy Unit (ITPU). On the basis of this research, the ITPU was granted a framework contract to provide expert analysis on trade and trade-related topics for the European Parliament's International Trade Committee (INTA). ITPU input has subsequently stimulated and informed debate within the European Parliament and shaped EU policy on free trade agreements.