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Dealing with Uncertainty: The Use of Mobile Phone Among Construction Workers

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Precarity within the Digital Age

Abstract

In this article, we discuss the use of mobile phones among construction workers in Casablanca (Morocco) as a strategy for efficient mobility to deal with the precarious nature of their work. One of the most important characteristics of these workers is their geographical mobility. These workers have to cope with the fast completion of construction projects and the need to find other construction sites in order to avoid periods without work. The role of the mobile phone is crucial in order for them to stay informed about the latest job opportunities on construction sites. We explore mobile phones are used and the benefits of its use among these workers. The results show that mobile phones allow workers to stay up-to-date with job opportunities and information about the best pay available. Mobile phones make their mobility more efficient thanks to pooled information about the location of work sites. The concept of mobility is used to link spatial mobility competencies enabled by the mobile phone with the social mobility of these workers suffering job precarity.

Research focus: Precarity, Mobility, Informality, Social Networks.

Research focus: Sociology of Culture, Education and Social Mobility, Precarity and Urban Exclusion.

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Correspondence to Abdallah Zouhairi .

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Zouhairi, A., Khalil, J. (2017). Dealing with Uncertainty: The Use of Mobile Phone Among Construction Workers. In: Heidkamp, B., Kergel, D. (eds) Precarity within the Digital Age. Prekarisierung und soziale Entkopplung – transdisziplinäre Studien. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-17678-5_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-17678-5_4

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