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The University of Southampton
Languages, Cultures and LinguisticsPart of Humanities

Onwards and downwards: labour market experiences of onward Latin American migrants in London Seminar

Time:
17:00 - 18:30
Date:
11 May 2016
Venue:
Building 65 Lecture Theatre C SO17 1BF

For more information regarding this seminar, please email Dr Darren Paffey at Darren.Paffey@southampton.ac.uk .

Event details

Part of the annual seminar series for the Centre for Mexico-Southampton Collaboration (MeXsu).

Drawing on recent research with the Latin American community in London that, this seminar outlines the particular experiences of Latin Americans who have migrated from other European countries with a specific focus on their labour market experiences. In conceptually re-thinking the notion of the ‘migrant division of labour’ (Wills et al, 2010), the discussion will explore how the global economic crisis prompted increased movement from Spain in particular and how perceived employment opportunities in London attracted migrants to the city. It highlights how in moving onwards, Latin Americans can secure low-paid work in cleaning, which effectively represents downward occupational mobility. Yet, while cosmopolitan London is deregulated market of migrant division of labour exploitation, it is also a paradoxical space of migrant rights and convivial life. As such, the paper argued that the process of onward migration complicates how we think about any continuum of labour exploitation.

The seminar will be accompanied by a short film on the experiences of Latin American onward migrants in the city.

 

Speaker information

Prof Cathy McIlwaine, Queen Mary University of London. My research is rooted in development geography although I also work on transnational migration and on North-South linkages. My early work in the Global South focused on development processes in relation to gender, poverty and household livelihoods, together with subsequent work on urban violence and civil society. Although much of this research focused on Latin America, I have also worked in South East Asia and southern Africa. My more recent research on transnational migration has concentrated on Latin American migration to the UK (and to Spain) as well as the nature of migrant labour within London’s low-pay economy.

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