Holland and the Split Labor Market Theory
Uploaded by angelttt on Oct 31, 2011
This essay discusses the problem of Muslim immigrants in Holland.
I Introduction
Holland, like many European nations, has a large labor force of immigrants. These workers commonly come from Middle Eastern countries like Turkey; they come with the intention of finding well-paying jobs and sending the money home to their families, eventually going home themselves. This phenomenon of international workers has been common since at least the middle of the 20th Century.
These workers don’t always find that they receive a warm welcome, however. Since they typically bring their own culture with them, rather than trying to assimilate into the host country’s society, they remain apart. Any time a group can easily be identified as such, the potential exists for difficult relations between members of that group and the host country.
This paper examines the ramifications of this situation in Holland. It first explains the split labor market theory, then goes on to discuss issues such as the Dutch working-class fear of losing jobs to the immigrant population, and the resultant discrimination against these immigrants. It also addresses the efforts by the state to force assimilation, and whether or not these social factors could theoretically lead to further Islamic nationalism.
II The Split Labor Market Theory
Edna Bonacich propounded the split labor market theory in 1972. Her theory, which expands on that of Karl Marx, says that there are “three significant classes in conflict within capitalist labor markets, not just the two that Marx identified.” (Mason, PG). These three conflicting classes are the employers, who want to maximize profits; the well-paid “established” workers who have managed, through negotiation, political struggle, or other means, to gain some degree of economic security, and who want to improve or at least maintain this security and are therefore obviously unwilling to have it put at risk; and the low-priced workers who are “unwilling or unable” to put that security at risk; and who are interested merely in finding a job, rather than building a career or establishing a certain level of economic security. (Mason, PG).
It is obvious from studying this theory exactly why, if it is sound, it could explain labor problems in Holland. Obviously, employers want to maximize profits, and one of the commonest ways to do that is to hire workers who will accept lower wages. This puts the immigrant laborers in direct conflict with...