Living on the Margins offers a unique insight into the lives of undocumented migrants from China, Bangladesh and Turkey (including Kurds and Northern Cypriots) in London, and those who employ them. The experiences we present are not unique to undocumented migrants in London; their experiences are mirrored by undocumented migrants all over the world who are living and working in cities, on farms, in towns and villages. Drawing on qualitative interviews, the book offers insights into the reasons why undocumented migrants come to the UK, their journeys including the use of agents and smugglers an ... More

Living on the Margins offers a unique insight into the lives of undocumented migrants from China, Bangladesh and Turkey (including Kurds and Northern Cypriots) in London, and those who employ them. The experiences we present are not unique to undocumented migrants in London; their experiences are mirrored by undocumented migrants all over the world who are living and working in cities, on farms, in towns and villages. Drawing on qualitative interviews, the book offers insights into the reasons why undocumented migrants come to the UK, their journeys including the use of agents and smugglers and their routes into undocumented status, how they survive economically, experiences at work, the ways in which social networks are used and developed and how everyday exclusions are managed. While undocumented migrants can be vulnerable, exploited and isolated they can also be active agents in shaping their lives within the constraints of status. Breaking new ground, this topical book exposes the contradictions in policies, which marginalise and criminalise undocumented migrants, while promoting potentially exploitative labour market conditions. By presenting the employer perspective we are able to explore the possible impact of policy on the decision making of employers in relation to employment business practises, worker recruitment strategies and decisions to whether to employ undocumented migrants. The book takes an inter-disciplinary approach drawing on literature from a number of disciplines including: sociology, politics, social policy and socio-legal studies. This fascinating book offers an international context to the research and provides theoretical, policy and empirical analyses.