Study title

A series of in-depth interviews with specific individuals belonging to trade unions in the UK, Italy and the Netherlands. The aim of the comparison is to highlight differences between these countries and to point out variables and mechanisms responsible for the different outcomes. The analysis addresses three main aspects: (1) factors influencing union stances towards labour immigration, immigration policies and migrant workers; (2) effects of union attitudes; (3) the development of trade union interaction with migrant workers across time. The proposed methodology combines qualitative and quantitative methods to assess union formal debates, union actions and union outcomes in including migrant workers. The interviews cover examples of policies/actions carried out by some representative trade unions in relation to migrant workers. Interviewees have been chosen because they cover a specific role/function within the trade union organization and/or are in charge of a specific project in relation to migrant workers inclusion.

This project aims at analysing trade union responses to immigration, immigration policies and a broad range of migrant workers and at understanding the trade unions’ role in the economic and social integration of immigrants. Furthermore, it focuses on the trade union’s role in the mediation of conflicting interests between national and migrant workers. The research develops a comparative international perspective by looking at a national context particularly affected by recent intra-European immigration (UK) and expanding on a comparative study on Italy and the Netherlands previously carried out by the researcher.