Power, inequality, economy: an approach to the precarious jobs of three workers groups in the present

Abstract

This article presents a comparative analysis of the working and social conditions of three representative groups of precariousness at work in Spain, through the qualitative study of the data, regulations, jurisprudence and research works, which are judged the most relevant to each case. The article grounds on a theoretical framework that is the contemporary reading of exploitation, alienation and self-realization concepts, in order to identify the features of an employment relationship model that is presumed to predominate among certain groups (hotel chambermaids, delivery workers and domestic and care workers), whose employees carry out their work under harsh economic and management patterns. Mostly, the analysis covers the respective profiles, execution features and risks of each activity, the legal regimes (and contractual issues) and the prospects for collective action in each group. The aim of this research is to test the hypothesis that, from the three analysed groups, despite their differences, it can be extracted an essentially common type of work practice and deeply unequal power relationships between workers and management staff. That is, a practice that violates rights and difficult their collective defence. Likewise, the text provides some considerations regarding current regulations.