Ключовите работници с опасни тела: кризата с Ковид-19 и източноевропейските мигранти

ABSTRACT

The article analyses how the COVID-19 crisis exposed the structural inequalities and the dual position that temporary migrants occupy in Western Europe. Drawing on the case of Eastern European workers in the European Union, it traces the conflict between the need of essential workers and the threat of mobile people. It explores the tension between labour and citizenship, by showing the models of differential inclusion through labour and exclusion from social support that temporary migrants experience. By analysing cases of temporary workers in agriculture, the meat industry and the informal labour in other spheres, the article looks at the emerging "conflict of bodies." On one hand, the significant bodies of the citizens that need to be reproduced by the labour of the migrant workers and at the same time, to be protected from the pandemic threat. On the other hand, the bodies of the workers which are key for this reproduction, but are at the same time dangerous and despite their key role, are being treated as insignificant and easily replaceable.