Guy Standing

Working Papers

HR Practices, Innovation and Establishment Outcomes: Evidence from China (with Peter Gahan and Marco Michelotti), Department of Management Working Paper (Melbourne, Monash University Department of Management, Feb. 2010). Details 

Labour Market Policies, Poverty and Insecurity (Geneva, UN Research Institute for Social Development, Nov. 2008). Text 

Decent Workplaces, Self-Regulation and CSR: From Puff to Stuff?, DESA Working Paper No.62 (New York, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Nov. 2007).

How Cash Transfers Boost Work and Economic Security, DESA Working Paper No.58 (New York, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Oct. 2007). See also Conditional Cash Transfers: Why Targeting and Conditionalities Could Fail, One Pager No.47 (Brasilia, International Poverty Centre, Dec. 2007), in English, French, Spanish and Portugese.

A New Dawn? The Ukrainian People’s Security Survey, 2004, Programme on Socio-Economic Security Papers No. 48 (Geneva, ILO, 2005).

The Decent Work Enterprise: Worker Security and Dynamic Efficiency, Programme on Socio-Economic Security Papers No. 37 (Geneva, ILO, May 2003).

Coping with Insecurity: The Ukrainian People’s Security Survey (with L. Zsoldos), Programme on Socio-Economic Security Papers No.17 (Geneva, ILO, Aug. 2001).

Worker Insecurities in Ukrainian Industry: The 2000 ULFS (with L. Zsoldos), Programme on Socio-Economic Security Papers No. 11 (Geneva, ILO, April 2001).

Modes of Control: A Labour-Status Approach to Decent Work, Programme on Socio-Economic Security Papers No. 4 (Geneva, ILO, Nov. 2000).

Unemployment and Income Security, Discussion Paper prepared for Geneva 2000: Follow-up to the World Summit on Social Development, Programme on Socio-Economic Security Papers No. 3 (Geneva, ILO, June 2000).

Globalisation and Flexibility: Dancing Around Pensions, Programme on Socio-Economic Security Papers No. 2 (Geneva, ILO, June 2000).

Voice Representation Security: An Aspect of Decent Work, paper for joint ECE-EUROSTAT-ILO seminar on Measurement of the Quality of Employment, Geneva, 3-5 May 2000 (Geneva, United Nations, 2000).

Worker Insecurities in Ukrainian Industry: The 1999 ULFS (with L. Zsoldos), Programme on Socio-Economic Security Papers No. 1 (Geneva, ILO, April 2000).

The Disappearing Men: Myths and Distortions of Russian Unemployment and Women’s Employment (Geneva, ILO, Jan. 1998).

Reviving Dead Souls: Russian Unemployment and Enterprise Restructuring (Geneva, ILO, Jan. 1997).

Labour Market Dynamics in South African Industrial Firms: The South African Labour Flexibility Survey, paper presented to conference on Labour Markets and Enterprise Performance, Pretoria, South Africa, 30 Jan. 1997.

Abstract: This paper is based on two surveys of 330 enterprises conducted in 1995 and 1996 in the framework of the ILO’s South African Labour Flexibility Survey. It identifies trends and provides material for assessing the labour market challenges facing firms in South African industry.

The “Human Development Enterprise”: Seeking Flexibility, Security and Efficiency, paper presented to the ILO Enterprise Forum, Geneva, 1996.

Abstract: This paper identifies the characteristics of an ideal human development enterprise (HDE), and shows how the concept of the HDE can be applied to data from recent enterprise labour flexibility surveys (ELFS) in Russia and South Africa.

The “Shake-out” in Russian factories: The RLFS Fifth Round, 1995, Labour Market Papers No. 14 (Geneva, ILO, 1996).

Abstract: This paper reports on the findings of the ILO’s fifth Russian Labour Flexibility Survey (RLFS), which has been monitoring the labour market and employment changes taking place in Russian industry since 1990. The results refer to 1993-95 and cover 380 factories employing over 29,000 workers. The last chapter defines and identifies Human Development Enterprises that apply good labour and employment practices.

Reconstructing Statistics for Labour Market Policies (Geneva, ILO, Feb. 1996), mimeo.

Labour Market Crisis in Ukrainian Industry: The 1995 ULFS (with L. Zsoldos), Labour Market Papers No.12 (Geneva, ILO, 1995). Also in Ukrainian.

Abstract: This paper is based on the results of the second round of the Ukrainian Labour Flexibility Survey carried out in 1995.

Promoting the “Human Development Enterprise”: Enterprise Restructuring and Corporate Governance in Russian Industry, Labour Market Papers No. 8 (Geneva, ILO, 1995).

Abstract: This paper is based on the fourth round of the Russian Labour Flexibility Survey conducted in 1994.

Enterprise Restructuring in Russian Industry and Mass Unemployment: The RLFS Fourth Round, 1994, Labour Market Papers No. 1 (Geneva, ILO, 1995).

Abstract: This paper is based on the Russian Labour Flexibility Survey carried out in mid-1994 in five major industrial regions covering over 303,000 workers, as well as on two related surveys of women workers and job seekers carried out in 1993-94. It examines the labour market and employment impact of the economic changes of 1991-94.

Labour Market Dynamics in Ukrainian Industry in 1992-94: Results from the ULFS, ILO-CEET Reports No. 11 (Budapest and Kiev, ILO-CEET, 1994). Details

Wages and Benefits in Russian Industry: Chaotic or Evolving Labour Market? (with T. Chetvernina), ILO-CEET Reports No. 8 (Budapest, ILO-CEET, 1994). Details

Labour Market Dynamics in Russian Industry in 1993: Results from the Third Round of the RLFS (Budapest, ILO-CEET, 1994). Details

The Unemployment Crisis in Eastern and Central Europe, background paper for the ILO’s Employment Report for the World Summit on Social Development (Budapest, ILO-CEET, Sept. 1993, mimeo).

Recruitment and the Role of Employment Services in Bulgarian Industry (with G. Sziráczki and J. Windell) (Geneva, ILO, 1993).

The Growth of External Flexibility in Bulgarian Industry (with G. Sziráczki and J. Windell), paper presented to conference on Labour Market Reforms in Bulgarian Industry, Sofia, Bulgaria, 18-20 May 1993.

Employment Dynamics in Bulgarian Industry (with G. Sziráczki and J. Windell), paper presented to conference on Labour Market Reforms in Bulgarian Industry, Sofia, Bulgaria, 18-20 May 1993 (Budapest, ILO-CEET, 1993).

Abstract: This paper is based on the ILO’s Bulgarian Labour Flexibility Survey, with data covering the period 1989-92.

Labour Market Developments in Eastern and Central Europe, ILO-CEET Policy Papers No. 1 (Budapest, ILO-CEET, Jan. 1993). Details

Restructuring for Distributive Justice in Eastern Europe, ILO-CEET Policy Papers No. 2 (Budapest, ILO-CEET, Jan. 1993).

Abstract: This paper discusses how economic reform has led to increased employment and labour market insecurity from 1990 to 1993, and suggests policy measures aimed at relieving the hardship of transitional unemployment.

Labour Market Dynamics in Russian Industry in 1992: Results from the Second Round of the RLFS, paper presented to Conference on Employment Restructuring in Russian Industry, Moscow/St. Petersburg, 21-28 Oct. 1992 (Budapest, ILO-CEET, 1992).

Abstract: This paper is based on the Russian Labour Flexibility Survey of 340 factories in four major industrial areas - Moscow City, Moscow Region, St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod. The data covers the period 1989 to 1992.

Cumulative Disadvantage? Women Industrial Workers in Malaysia and Philippines (Geneva, ILO, 1992).

Abstract: This paper is based on data from the Labour Flexibility Survey of 1988 in Malaysia that covered 3,100 manufacturing firms, and the Labour Flexibility Survey of 1990 in the Philippines, which covered 1,311 industrial firms.

External Labour Flexibility in Filipino Industry (with J. Windell) (Geneva, ILO, 1992).

Abstract: This paper is based on the Philippines Labour Flexibility Survey carried out in late 1990 and covering 1,311 industrial establishments. It examines the forms and levels of external labour flexibility practices in the country. It was prepared within the framework of the project "Strategic Approaches toward Employment Promotion" sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Labour and executed by DOLE, Manila and ARTEP-ILO, New Delhi.

Restructuring in Eastern and Central Europe: Labour Market and Social Policy Consensus Issues (with G. Fischer), paper presented to a high-level conference on Labour Market and Social Policy Implications of Structural Change in Central and Eastern Europe, Paris, 11-13 Sept. 1991 (Paris, OECD/ILO, 1991).  English ::  French

The Growth of External Labour Flexibility in a Nascent NIC: The Malaysian Labour Flexibility Survey (MLFS), Labour Market Analysis Working Paper No. 35 (Geneva, ILO, Nov. 1989).

Abstract: This paper is based on a survey of nearly 3,000 firms in Malaysia carried out in mid-1988. It examines how firms responded to internationally transmitted recession followed by adjustment and export-led industrialisation.

European Unemployment, Insecurity and Flexibility: A Social Dividend Solution (with a preface by Ralf Dahrendorf), Labour Market Analysis Working Paper No. 23 (Geneva, ILO, July 1988, revised April 1989).

Abstract: This paper contains proposals for combating European unemployment by a citizenship income guarantee coupled with community unionism and collective profit sharing.

Vulnerable Groups in Urban Labour Processes, Labour Market Analysis Working Paper No. 13 (Geneva, ILO, May 1987). Version published as Chapter 6 of the ILO’s 1987 World Labour Report.

Abstract: This paper explores the concept of workers’ economic vulnerability, covering insecurity of income, employment and working conditions. It discusses vulnerability of workers by sector and by labour status and identifies susceptible groups (labour circulants, young workers and women).

Labour Flexibility: Towards a Research Agenda, Labour Market Analysis Working Paper No. 3 (Geneva, ILO, April 1986).

Abstract: This paper discusses emerging forms of labour flexibility and considers their implications for employment policy.

A Labour Status Approach to Labour Statistics, Population and Labour Policies Programme Working Paper No. 139 (Geneva, ILO, Aug. 1983).

Abstract: This paper presents a theoretical framework for an employment status approach to data collecting on the labour force. It discusses the definition of exploitation, underemployment, division of labour and occupation, skill, labour force, etc. It proposes a taxonomy of labour status including forced labour, feudalism, sharecropper, skilled worker, wage and family worker, peasant farmer, payment by results, apprentice, landowner and employer, and outlines forms of labour control.

Circulation and Proletarianisation, Population and Labour Policies Programme Working Paper No.119 (Geneva, ILO, Sept.1982).

Abstract: This Working Paper looks at the role of labour mobility and rural migration in the formation of working class attitudes characteristic of capitalism (proletarianisation). It discusses relationships with the division of labour, and considers elements of social conflict inherent in workers’ adaptation to the labour market.

The Labour Force in Guyana in 1977: A Preliminary Report (with N. Caesar), Population and Employment Working Paper (Geneva, ILO, Dec. 1978).

Migration, Labour Force Absorption and Mobility: Women in Kingston, Jamaica, Population and Employment Working Paper No.68 (Geneva, ILO, Oct. 1978).

Labour Commitment, Sexual Dualism and Industrialisation in Jamaica, Population and Employment Working Paper No.64 (Geneva, ILO, May 1978).

Labour Force Participation in Historical Perspective: Proletarianism in Jamaica, Population and Employment Working Paper No.50 (Geneva, ILO, March 1977).

Female Labour Supply in an Urbanising Economy, Population and Employment Working Paper No.44 (Geneva, ILO, Nov. 1976).

Concepts of Labour Force Participation and Underutilisation, Population and Employment Working Paper No.40 (Geneva, ILO, July 1976).

Aspiration Wages, Migration and Female Employment, Population and Employment Working Paper No.23 (Geneva, ILO, Nov. 1975).