Just Released! Shoes, Glues and Homework: Dangerous Work in the Global Footwear Industryby Pia Markkanen Work, Health and Environment Series Series Editors: Charles Levenstein, Robert Forrant, and John Wooding About the Book The book locates workers’ health and safety problems in the broad political economy, arguing that without a deep understanding of the social/political/economic context of particular industries and workplaces, we cannot fully grasp the process of recognition and control of industrial hazards. A series of case studies use the point of production framework to investigate particular problems or industries. In Praise of . . . This pioneering book by Pia Markkanen documents the dangers to women and their families of working in the global footwear industry, notably the exposure to chemical solvents and dust. Use of chemicals and other occupational health and safety risks associated with home-based production is not limited to shoe-making. Whether or not they work alongside their mothers, the children of home-based women workers, in the footwear and other industries, share the health and safety risks faced by their mothers. A global economy that relies so heavily on home-based production by women workers needs to take stock of and be held accountable for the occupational safely and health risks associated with global production-all the way down the global production chain to the home-based producers, mainly women, at the bottom of the chain. Marty Chen, Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School International Coordinator, WIEGO Network Baywood Publishing Company, Inc. 26 Austin Avenue, Amityville, NY 11701 call: 631-691-1270 email: [email protected] toll-free: 800-638-7819 |