Migrant workers, workplace inclusion and the prospects for worker solidarity

Purpose The aim of the paper is to investigate workplace inclusion “from below” through an examination of the views, experiences and inclusion strategies of non-European skilled migrants working in Australia and the prospects of their agency in building a broader solidarity among workers. Design/methodology/approach The research adopts a qualitative, postcolonial-inspired approach to examine how non-European skilled migrants employed across diverse sectors in Australia experience and navigate workplace inclusion. Findings Non-European skilled migrants define and navigate workplace inclusion in different ways with some workplace inclusion strategies more likely to facilitate worker solidarity opportunities than others. While there was no evidence of skilled migrants adopting collective approaches that challenge workplace inequalities, many did exercise forms of agency that enabled them to strengthen social bonds and belonging within workplaces which worker solidarity could be built upon. Originality/value By drawing upon postcolonial theory to examine the workplace inclusion strategies of non-European skilled migrants and the solidarity potential of these efforts we identify ways to begin bridging the gap between workplace inclusion and solidarity literature.