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Fuelling Global Production Networks with Slave Labour?: Migrant Sugar Cane Workers in the Brazilian Ethanol GPN

McGrath, Siobhán

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Abstract

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.

Citation

McGrath, S. (2013). Fuelling Global Production Networks with Slave Labour?: Migrant Sugar Cane Workers in the Brazilian Ethanol GPN. Geoforum, 44, 32-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2012.06.011

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 2013
Deposit Date Jan 28, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Geoforum
Print ISSN 0016-7185
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 44
Pages 32-43
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2012.06.011
Keywords Global Production Networks, Forced labour, Contemporary slavery, Unfree labour, Degrading work, Bio-fuels.

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