Empresas sin asalariados y asalariados sin empresas: apuntes sobre la crisis y transformación del empleo

Abstract

Precariousness and uncertainty are the defining features of the modern working relationships. They were partially limited and compensated for in some countries through a long and complex process of employment institutionalization. This process rested on the recognition of the existence of underlying subordination, dependency and inequality in the working relationships. In this way, it opened the doors not only to establish a principle of responsibility from the employer towards his/her employees, but also a system of social protection and even, a principle of freedom for the wage earner. The profound transformation of capitalism begins in the 1970s decade and places us in the phase of the surfacing of new forms of agency services for work related activity. These agency services do not go through the conventional firms (firms without wage earners, wage earners without firms) furthermore they dilute the principles upon which the regulation and protection of employment had been established. This article reflects on some of the features of the employment institutionalization process and its recent transformation, drawing special attention on some of the challenges and open promises.