Working Hard or Hardly Working? Who are Canada’s Working Poor?

Conde, Alfredo; Ferdinands, Alexa R.; Mayan, Maria

doi:10.1080/10875549.2022.2071663

Cited by 2 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Central here were our efforts to document the geography of relations that populates precariat households. This research adds further qualitative insights to previous quantitative research into in-work poverty (Conde et al, 2022;Fisher et al, 2023;Richardson & Blizard, 2022). We contribute an exploration of the under researched lived experience of in-work poverty and key relationships that impact the efficacy of policy initiatives to alleviate in-work poverty.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…Since being elected in 2017, the previous Labour Party-led Government (2017–2023) in Aotearoa NZ introduced many initiatives also recommended by Conde et al (2022) and Fisher et al (2023) to address in-work poverty (Labour, 2020). Key initiatives include supporting low-income households through annual increases in the statutory minimum wage, increases to welfare benefits and income supplements, and introducing a Families Package that includes increased working family tax credits and a winter energy payment to cover seasonal increases in electricity bills.…”

Section: Considering the Impacts Of Contemporary Policy Responses To ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This class is disproportionately populated by M aori and low-income migrant peoples who face persistent employment, income, housing, food, and health insecurities (Groot et al, 2017;Rua et al, 2023). We also respond to recent deliberations in research into whether work is the solution to poverty, and the efficacy of minimum wage rises and government income supplements as responses to in-work poverty (Conde et al, 2022;Fisher et al, 2023;Richardson & Blizard, 2022). Emerging literature suggests that lowpaid and precarious work does not lift people out of poverty and government financial assistance to help households make ends meet is also often insufficient (Carr, 2023;Conde et al, 2022;Fisher et al, 2023;Hodgetts & Stolte, 2017).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…We also respond to recent deliberations in research into whether work is the solution to poverty, and the efficacy of minimum wage rises and government income supplements as responses to in-work poverty (Conde et al, 2022;Fisher et al, 2023;Richardson & Blizard, 2022). Emerging literature suggests that lowpaid and precarious work does not lift people out of poverty and government financial assistance to help households make ends meet is also often insufficient (Carr, 2023;Conde et al, 2022;Fisher et al, 2023;Hodgetts & Stolte, 2017). For example, Fisher et al (2023) explored the effectiveness of policy response to in-work poverty in the United States, with a particular focus on employment status and hours worked to determine if moving from part-time to full-time employment would lift individuals past the poverty threshold.…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…For example, Fisher et al (2023) explored the effectiveness of policy response to in-work poverty in the United States, with a particular focus on employment status and hours worked to determine if moving from part-time to full-time employment would lift individuals past the poverty threshold. Conde et al (2022) also probed whether employment led to escapes from poverty in Canada. Both studies challenged the assertion that working harder (e.g., more hours) resolves situations of poverty and recommended minimum wage rises and more generous and less complex government income support systems as necessary responses.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Everyday Experiences of In-Work Poverty and Policy Responses in the Assemblage of Situations of Precarity in Aotearoa New Zealand

Martin,

Hodgetts,

King

et al. 2024

International Perspectives in Psychology

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Lived experiences of in-work poverty remain under-researched in countries such as Aotearoa New Zealand NZ. Community-orientated psychologists often argue that people experiencing such complex issues develop considerable expertise that is invaluable in efforts to reimagine effective responses. The core aim of this article is to explore participant experiences of government efforts to alleviate the negative impacts of in-work poverty on socioeconomically marginalized groups, including the emergent Māori precariat class. From the perspective of assemblage theory, this article documents how government efforts to support low-income households become territorialized within a dynamic geography of relations as experienced by 10 precariat households (9 Māori, one Cook Island Māori). The analysis is based on four interviews per household, with a total of 40 interviews across the 10 households. These interviews encompassed photo-elicitation and mapping exercises and document householder experiences of policy initiatives, including annual minimum wage rises, the introduction of healthy homes standards, and related government support initiatives. What emerges from participant accounts is considerable disappointment regarding government efforts to render assistance that do not address dysfunctional and extractive relationships between precariat households and more affluent groups, such as private landlords. Evident from the analysis is how current policies do not adequately address the relational nature of poverty and how many policies combine in the everyday lives of the precariat to cancel out potentially positive impacts on poverty reduction. We offer a series of recommendations for how participant concerns might be addressed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Section: Considering the Impacts Of Contemporary Policy Responses To ...mentioning

confidence: 99%