Non-unionised migrant workers: evidence from the UK Labour Force Survey for a 'Triple-Challenge Model'

This paper aims to help rectify the lack of systematic research into the unionisation of migrant workers in Britain. We will explore the Labour Force Survey data using a logistic regression modelling. With a varying degree of influence on men and women, the results provide empirical evidence to assist the development of comprehensive explanations for the obstacles behind migrant workers’ unionisation. The impediments we analysed can be considered within what one might call a triple-challenge model comprising of i) encounter inputs: demographic factors brought into the host society and citizenry rights offered by the host society to migrant workers ii) accentuated structural factors: workplace characteristics, flexible work and migrant workers’ disproportionate location in less unionised companies with flexible contracts iii) knock-on effects: educational and occupational influences along with the impacts of encounter inputs and accentuated structural factors on such influences