Employment regulation at the crossroads

For decades, the study of labour regulation has been central to the field of Industrial Relations. However, recent social changes redefining work and organizations have given it renewed significance. We are witnessing a rise in litigation and legal disputes among business, labour, and state actors, alongside the emergence of new political agendas that propose major reforms in labour regulation. These developments raise critical questions about the effectiveness of such reforms in driving meaningful change. This seminar brings together two leading experts to explore the intersection of regulation and the political conflicts underlying labour relations. They will reflect on the opportunities regulation presents for social actors, their evolving relationship with the state, and the potential directions of change in our societies and labour markets.

Panel (30 minutes per presentation):

Dismantling neoliberal labour institutions, the role of the Directorate of Labour in Chile
Luis Villazón, Head of the Labour Relations Department of the Chilean Labour Directorate.

Labour law, Legal mobilisation and Consciousness in the UK
Dr. Eleanor Kirk, lecturer in Human Resource Management, Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow.

Discussant (10 minutes each intervention):
Dr. Stephen Mustchin, Work and Equalities Institute, University of Manchester
Dr. Miguel Martínez-Lucio, Work and Equalities Institute, University of Manchester
Ángel Martin (PhD Student), Work and Equalities Institute, University of Manchester

Q&A: 30 minutes.

Host or Publisher Alliance Manchester Business School