TY - JOUR

T1 - Fuelling global production networks with slave labour?

T2 - migrant sugar cane workers in the Brazilian ethanol GPN

AU - McGrath, Siobhan

PY - 2013/1

Y1 - 2013/1

N2 - This article presents an analysis of slave labour (as it is known in Brazil) among sugar cane workers within a globalising production network. It employs the Global Production Network (GPN) framework to argue that the dynamics of production networks are fundamental to the reproduction of unfree and degrading labour in this case. First, the power exercised by buyers is a key aspect of processes resulting in slave labour. Conversely, efforts to combat slave labour have been strengthened by acknowledging and working through this power. Second, the state exercises governance within the production network rather than only providing its institutional context. Beyond these dynamics, however, wider processes are involved in making labour available on particular terms and conditions. Third, then, processes of racialisation facilitate the imposition of restrictions on workers’ mobility, degrading conditions and intensification of work. Labour is, in other words, devalued. This implies that the ways in which competing judgments over value are resolved merit as much attention in GPN analysis as is currently given to the creation, enhancement and capture of value.

AB - This article presents an analysis of slave labour (as it is known in Brazil) among sugar cane workers within a globalising production network. It employs the Global Production Network (GPN) framework to argue that the dynamics of production networks are fundamental to the reproduction of unfree and degrading labour in this case. First, the power exercised by buyers is a key aspect of processes resulting in slave labour. Conversely, efforts to combat slave labour have been strengthened by acknowledging and working through this power. Second, the state exercises governance within the production network rather than only providing its institutional context. Beyond these dynamics, however, wider processes are involved in making labour available on particular terms and conditions. Third, then, processes of racialisation facilitate the imposition of restrictions on workers’ mobility, degrading conditions and intensification of work. Labour is, in other words, devalued. This implies that the ways in which competing judgments over value are resolved merit as much attention in GPN analysis as is currently given to the creation, enhancement and capture of value.

KW - Global Production Networks

KW - Forced labour

KW - Contemporary slavery

KW - Unfree labour

KW - Degrading work

KW - Bio-fuels

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84872490359&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.geoforum.2012.06.011

DO - 10.1016/j.geoforum.2012.06.011

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:84872490359

VL - 44

SP - 32

EP - 43

JO - Geoforum

JF - Geoforum

SN - 0016-7185

ER -