Reflections on Inertia, Movement and Convergence in Out-of-Place Labour Relations: Taking Geography Seriously in Labour Law

Abstract This essay explores the conceptual and methodological contribution of a spatial understanding of labour law, examining the ways in which labour laws create sites of inclusion and exclusion that can be subverted by worker action. It argues that labour relations cannot be apprehended without considering their place in space. It further argues that labour laws tend to foster inertia within industrial relations by recognizing certain workspaces while failing to adapt to the dynamic geographies of the workplace. Methodologically, this implies a shift from a neutral discourse of rights to one that is anchored in social life where workers converge. This essay suggests that recognizing concrete and dynamic spaces of labour within legislation can lead to upholding diverse voices at work, especially from workers traditionally left in the margins, like women, minorities, and migrants.