A Historical Analysis of Left-Wing Trade Union Positions Regarding Bangladeshi Workers in Monfalcone (Italy) and Bosnian Workers in Slovenia

The research reconstructs the employment conditions of Bangladeshis in Monfalcone and Bosnians in Slovenia and left-wing trade union positions toward migrant work. Bangladeshis work mainly under subcontract in constructing large cruise ships at Monfalcone’s Fincantieri, while Bosnians work in Slovenia’s building, transportation, and storage sectors. This exploratory work addresses two case studies viewed through the lens of the relationship between trade unions and migrant workers, identifying the new challenges it poses. The research also describes the geography of the different positions and their relationship with the type of work carried out by immigrants.
Keywords: left-wing trade unions, Bosnian workers, Bangladeshi workers, global economic crisis, migration policies