Working Lives Research Institute
Inequalities & Social Justice
7-9 April 2010
WLRI was represented at the THE BRITISH SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE -
Wed 7th - Fri 9th April 2010 at
Conference theme: Inequalities and Social Justice
Demographic change and its consequences on workforce ageing in
(refers to findings from the CAWA and current ESF6 CIA projects)
ABSTRACT
Demographic change, workforce ageing and the management of older workers is increasingly becoming an issue of policy concern for governments and employers. Social stability, physical security, improved living conditions and economic as well as medical progress have contributed to longer life expectancy and improved quality of life.
Based on figures from the 2009 European Commission Ageing Report, demographic change is transforming the population of all EU membership countries. This transformation is characterised by longer life expectancy, low fertility and inward migration, all affecting the extent and speed of population ageing. While the European political agenda to prolong working lives is largely driven by the economic arguments related to the funding of health care and retirement, this paper focuses on individual choice to remain in work and the importance of balancing work and non-work related commitments.
The paper draws on research related to demographic change carried out by the WLRI over the past five years with the aim of identifying what policies employers and employment-related organisations need to adopt in order to extend the labour market participation of older workers. Issues are
presented in relation to key employment areas and are explored based on the organisational identities/commitment literature.
The paper concludes by arguing that the debate on workforce ageing among trade unions, employers and policy makers needs to be focussed on deeper understanding of the quality of work itself, as well as the employment context, including work and non-work related identities.
Keles, J, Holgate, J., Kumarappan, L.
(Based on: EMRAW project)
The everyday visualised culture has an important influence on behaviour, identity formation as well as political and social positionings. As has been noted, ‘we live in a society where visual images have proliferated…our ways of seeing and our experiences of and responses to visual spectacles are central to our understanding of who we are and where we belong’ (Ali 2005). As such visual materials are increasing used to explore meanings in social and cultural life particularly in anthropology, ethnography and sociology. Methodologically, the use of photography, film and video can replace or be used in addition to other research methods, ‘read’ in a similar way to text. We began our research project into aspects of employment, identity, community and belonging among 3 minority ethnic groups in
researcher) and each of these approaches is likely to result in different interpretations. We were taken by Gauntlett’s (2005) Creative Visual Research Methods approach whereby individuals are asked to produce media or visual material themselves, as a way of exploring their relationship with particular issues. As such we commissioned a group of Kurdish workers to photograph what ‘community’ meant to them through the lens of their cameras. This paper will explore meanings of community, work and identity incorporating the visual and written words of these participants.
Contribution to BSA Theory Study Group Symposium on Understanding Diaspora: The Case of Kurds in
“This symposium will provide a forum for reflecting and discussing ‘diaspora’ by focusing on the case of Kurds from