Gelijke kansen: notities over arbeidsmarkt en arbeidsorganisatie

Samenvatting

The concept of the market derives its social & political legitimacy in large part from three conditions: (1) supply & demand are independent variables; (2) since there are no skewed relations of authority, the problem of authority does not arise; & (3) market transactions concern goods, services, or promises, & exclude personal characteristics or reputations. It is argued here that none of these conditions holds for the labor market. Supply is not an independent variable, skewed relations of authority are the essence in the employment relationship, & the personhood of the employee in the labor contract cannot be assumed away, without creating major problems in equal opportunity & affirmative action programs. Labor markets simply cannot be trusted to function impartially & impersonally, although this expectation is basic for the very idea of equal opportunity. A plea is made to focus research attention on modes of recruitment of employees, & the forms of exclusion these generate. It is suggested that democratization of recruitment will -- under strict conditions of representation & representativeness -- be the most appropriate way to achieve equal opportunity. 15 References. AA