Vulnerable Workers in Times of Social Trasformations. Discrimination and Participation of Young and Older Workers, and Social Dialogue Stances

Current intersections of economic and demographic transformations across Europe have produced major patterns of inequality with an uneven impact on vulnerable age workers. The dismissal of older workers and the blockage on work integration of youngsters have led to a downfall participation at both ends of the age spectrum; leaving unions as their shielding tool. Grounded on ethnographic insights from workers, unions and employers, this book explores discrimination of vulnerable workers and unions’ approach to it through questions like: how are welfare retrenchment policies confronted? Is a zero-sum approach a cost-distribution strategy? Does social dialogue integrate the age/gender intersection? To expose the way social and work transformations are impinging on vulnerable age workers, and on society as a whole.