In poems rich with sensuality and discord, Mukomolova explores her complex identity—Russian, Jewish, refugee, New Yorker, lesbian— through the Russian tale of Vasilyssa, a young girl left to fend for herself against the witch Baba Yaga. Heavy with family and fable, these poems are a beautiful articulation of difference under duress.

Undocumented and authorized immigrant laborers, female workers, workers of color, guest workers, and unionized workers together compose an enormous and diverse part of the labor force in America. Labor and employment laws are supposed to protect employees from various workplace threats, such as poor wages, bad working conditions, and unfair dismissal. Yet as members of individual groups with minority status, the rights of many of these individuals are often dictated by other types of law, such as constitutional and immigration laws. Worse still, the groups who fall into these cracks in the legal system often do not have the political power necessary to change the laws for better protection. In Marginal Workers, Ruben J. Garcia demonstrates that when it comes to these marginal workers, the sum of the law is less than its parts, and, despite what appears to be a plethora of applicable statutes, marginal workers are frequently lacking in protection. To ameliorate the status of marginal workers, he argues for a new paradigm in worker protection, one based on human freedom and rights.

In recent years it has become clear that many businesses, motivated by avoiding the rigidity and the price tag associated with labour law and social security, have succeeded in eroding the protection of labour law by creating numerous categories of workers classified as non-employees. In 1996 the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted Recommendation 198, which asks its Members to undertake action to reduce 'disguised' employment relationships, with the goal of ensuring that those actually working in an employment relationship are actually given the corresponding legal status. Though these are - from a legal approach - two conceptually different phenomena, they are closely related from a social policy point of view. In order to make a substantial contribution to the discussion on these developments a group of noted European labour law scholars has undertaken the research assembled in this book, recommending labour law reforms based on a close examination of existing conditions. The eight authors analyse measures and legal instruments offered by the European Union and the ILO to cover persons performing personal work, as well as specific developments in Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Poland, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In each case they describe viable ways in which categories of persons not treated as employees can be brought under the protection of labour law and how the distinction between employees and self-employed can become more clear. In a concluding final Chapter comparative conclusions are drawn on the basis of this study and recommendations are given to the EU, the ILO and the individual Member States. Among the specific issues covered are the following: * redefining the subordination criterion; * the role of the courts; * determination of the contract of employment; * forms of labour involving more than two contracting parties (e.g., employment agency arrangements); * the legal position of temporary workers; * 'employee-like' persons, e.g., home-workers or commercial representatives; * the 'bogus' self-employed; * introduction and effect of legal presumptions in labour law and/or social security; * developing uniform criteria for the employment relationship; * criteria for identifying self-employed but economically-dependent workers; * extension of protection of labour law to persons other than employees or the self-employed; and * social rights applicable to all work contracts irrespective of their formal qualification; * floor of core rights. This study seriously contributes toward overcoming the reluctant and piecemeal measures commonly taken to extend the protection of the employment contract. Although the authors acknowledge the continuing tension between labour law protection and the need for a flexible workforce, they also recognize the positive effects of best practices that lead to more certainty, fewer disputes, and clear (but still flexible if necessary) agreements. The book will be warmly welcomed as a signal contribution to addressing what one labour law scholar has called 'the most important industrial relations issue of our time.'

First published in 1999, this innovative book explores in detail the essential components of working with families whose children are on the Child Protection Register. It provides a comprehensive guide to professionals, highlighting and addressing the gaps and ambiguities in central government guidance. The chapters, written by academics and leading professionals in the field, offer multi-disciplinary perspectives on models of assessment, core group practice, child protection plans and working in partnership with children and families. Practical guidance is offered to those who participate in post-registration practice and to those who participate in post-registration practice and to those who supervise or train professionals working in this area. This volume is of particular relevance to practitioners, students, managers and trainers in social work, health, education, probation and voluntary settings. It provides a unique collection of case examples, checklists and exercises enabling the reader to develop their own practice or use the material as a framework for promoting inter-agency practice within the supervision nor training context.