Strategies of undocumented immigrants pursuing work and their working conditions: the case of Gothenburg

Abstract

The situation for undocumented workers is at the forefront of debate all across Europe. Researches reveals that there is a considerable knowledge gap as regards implementation of international, regional and national legal instruments available to ease the vulnerability of undocumented workers. The aim of this research is to explore the life of undocumented workers in Sweden. The focus of the research is to gain insight into who are undocumented workers? What strategies do they use to find work? And under what kinds of working conditions they perform their work? The research is approached from two directions: a study of existing legal instruments applicable to undocumented workers, followed by an empirical study based on interviews with undocumented workers in Sweden and discussions with trade unionists and labour lawyers. The theoretical approach is informed by theories of social capital and human capital theories,as well as the concept of working conditions, which form the platform for analysis of the collected data. The research findings suggest that social capital significantly contributes to the strategies of undocumented migrants pursuing work. Social capital may be generated by various means, such as social networks established through religious fellowships, ethnic enclaves, private agents, media and/or transnational networks. The research also finds education, work experience and language skills beneficial for undocumented individuals to get work. Furthermore, the findings show that because undocumented workers are excluded from social provisions, their working conditions reflect serious violations of human rights. As this research adopts the human rights approach, the paper concludes with a number of recommendations based on existing legal instruments for trade unions, politicians and social actors to consider when formulating policy on undocumented workers.