ALLIANCE ON CONTINGENT EMPLOYMENT

STATISTICS

For statistical stream publications, go to publications

The purpose of this research stream is to develop a profile of the precarious workforce in regional, provincial, national and international context using existing data sources from Statistics Canada and to harness this profile to survey, ethnographic, focus group, legal and policy research to be pursued in the other three streams.

The State of Canadian Knowledge on Precarious Work

There is a dearth of data available on the shape, size, location, industrial composition and other characteristics of the precarious work force. Much of the existing research is related to specific sectors, particularly those dominated by female workers. Other work examines the effects of new forms of technology and work organization on specific groups of workers in precarious employment. Hence, there are few works analyzing the overall situation of workers in precarious employment in Canada and there is an absence of consensus regarding an operational definition of this phenomenon. Complicating matters, few studies consider the work patterns of workers in precarious employment over time, the relationship between precarious employment and technology, and, particularly critical, the gender, race, ethnic and geographic profile of the precariously employed.

Focusing on definitional and measurement issues, the research pursued in this stream aims to remedy these gaps through four linked components.

1. Current Trends in Precarious Employment
2. Defining "Precarious Employment"
3. The Location of the Precarious Workforce and Factors Contributing to Its Growth
4. The Dynamics of Precarious Work