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Can crisis corporatism protect vulnerable workers? Conceptual insights from a European perspective
Title / Series / Name
Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research
Publication Volume
31
Publication Issue
3
Pages
Editors
Keywords
Crisis corporatism
institutionalised power relations
social dialogue
vulnerability
vulnerable workers
Industrial Relations
Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
institutionalised power relations
social dialogue
vulnerability
vulnerable workers
Industrial Relations
Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14018/28670
Abstract
Crisis corporatism is conceptualised in this article as a temporary governance strategy involving partnerships between the state, labour and employers to mitigate the impacts of crisis to protect vulnerable workers. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study, the article examines how institutionalised power relations in different industrial regimes enabled corporatist decision-making to safeguard vulnerable workers. It presents a conceptual framework linking crisis corporatism with vulnerability, emphasising social actors’ role in advocating for marginalised groups, drawing on empirical studies from European countries. Findings reveal significant variations in corporatist responses, influenced by institutional frameworks, welfare state traditions, and industrial relations systems. Countries with strong corporatist structures effectively mobilised social partners to protect workers, while those with fragmented institutions relied on state intervention or ad hoc measures, often leaving workers exposed to job or income loss. The article highlights social dialogue’s role in crisis resilience and argues for strengthening corporatist structures to ensure inclusive future responses.
Topic
Publisher
Place of Publication
Type
Journal article
Date
2025-08
Language
ISBN
Identifiers
10.1177/10242589251377582