Labour Mobility and the Dynamics of the Construction Industry Labour Market (English shop)

Chairil Anwar’s dissertation “Labour Mobility and the Dynamics of the Construction Industry Labour Market (the Case of Makassar, Indonesia)” examines labour mobility and structural changes in the construction industry labour market of Makassar, South Sulawesi. The study investigates the relationship between urbanisation, internal migration, economic development, and employment patterns in the construction sector. Based on empirical research involving construction workers, labour subcontractors, and contractors, it analyses labour market organisation, recruitment practices, and relationships among industry stakeholders. Particular attention is given to the traditional mandor system, in which labour intermediaries play an important role in recruiting and managing construction workers. The findings reveal considerable labour market segmentation based on occupational skills, ethnicity, and employment arrangements. While commuting and circular migration previously dominated workforce mobility, longer-term migration increasingly replaces these traditional patterns. The dissertation also examines the consequences of the 1997 Asian financial crisis for employment opportunities, occupational mobility, and labour relations. Economic instability contributed to increased job turnover, insecure employment, and the weakening of traditional patron-client relationships between labour intermediaries and workers. The study further discusses regional differences in economic development and their implications for employment policy. Its conclusions emphasize improved worker protection, reduced government intervention in contractor support, and regionally specific labour market policies.