Leiden University Student Repository

Meššová, Klaudia (2015)

Companies without bosses: Viability, potentialities and limitations of Worker Recuperated Enterprises in Argentina

Master thesis | Latin American Studies (MA)

The unstable economic situation and insecure labour market characteristic of Argentina of the early 2000s have driven workers’ quest to find reliable jobs and decent working and living conditions. This thesis examines Worker Recuperated Enterprises (WREs) in Argentina as they might represent viable work alternatives fighting unemployment and helping workers to stabilise their living conditions. This work aims to, firstly, analyse whether WREs embody viable work organisations. Secondly, investigate how effective WREs are in stabilising and improving socio-economic situation of the workers and, lastly, explore the strengths and limitations of this work model. The thesis objectives are threefold, yet the main argument can be synthesised as followed. WREs are feasible small-scale alternative work establishments which can help the struggling workers in particular contexts. However, WREs have to withstand numerous obstacles, such as restrictive Argentinian legal system,lack of capital and...Show moreThe unstable economic situation and insecure labour market characteristic of Argentina of the early 2000s have driven workers’ quest to find reliable jobs and decent working and living conditions. This thesis examines Worker Recuperated Enterprises (WREs) in Argentina as they might represent viable work alternatives fighting unemployment and helping workers to stabilise their living conditions. This work aims to, firstly, analyse whether WREs embody viable work organisations. Secondly, investigate how effective WREs are in stabilising and improving socio-economic situation of the workers and, lastly, explore the strengths and limitations of this work model. The thesis objectives are threefold, yet the main argument can be synthesised as followed. WREs are feasible small-scale alternative work establishments which can help the struggling workers in particular contexts. However, WREs have to withstand numerous obstacles, such as restrictive Argentinian legal system,lack of capital and limited access to credit as well as adaptation to cooperative work model and mentality, among other issues. It is concluded that WREs are viable and useful work organisations thanks to which workers can live a decent and dignified life; yet, working in a WRE is accompanied by many sacrifices, compromises and numerous challenges to be overcome by their members.Show less

Alternative Labour Models

Self-Management

Worker Control and Ownership

Worker Recuperated Enterprises in Argentina

Worker Cooperatives in Argentina

Author

Meššová, Klaudia

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

MA in Latin American Studies, specialisation in Public Policies

Supervisors

Wiesebron, M.L.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en