ABSTRACT
The contemporary construction industry is characterised by close co-operation between governments and private sector companies bidding for public sector contracts, as well as concerted attempts to impede trade unions and their members. These poor labour conditions are reflected in the fragmented development of the industry that is highly casualised, characterised by dangerous, dirty, demanding work; disadvantages ethnic minorities, women, and working-class workers; and relies on migrant labour. Such challenges are framed as integral, albeit frequently legal, aspects of production in the sector. This introductory chapter outlines the aims, structure, and scope of the book and is divided into two sections. The first part introduces readers to historical and contemporary challenges in construction industries. The historic interplay and relationships between states and companies can be traced back to medieval guilds, which later evolved into mechanisms to control workers during the Industrial Revolution and the 19th- to 20th-century trade union labour movements. The second section of the chapter outlines the structure of the book and key themes to be explored further.
