#DW #9 NEWSLETTER 

February- March 2025 

 Spain: A Breakthrough in an Adverse Global Context

Dear signatories of the #DemocratizingWork Manifesto,

The need for transformational collective action has never been more urgent.

As science faces unprecedented political attacks,  it is crucial that we come together to defend it, ensuring that action in the domain of climate and public health in particular is driven by facts, not ideology. The United Science Alliance is is #standing up for science and pushing back against the forces that seek to undermine research, truth, and evidence-based solutions. 

March 8th also marked International Women’s Rights Day, a powerful reminder that the fight for gender equality is far from over. It is a day to recognize the ongoing fight against unfair power hierarchies, wage inequality, and gender-based violence. We will continue to use the concepts that enable scientists to describe inequalities, and equip societies so that they can continue to address them. 

Just at this consequential hour, our Democratizing Work initiative has reached a historic milestone: one Government has decided to explore how to move forward with democratizing work. The Government of Spain has appointed an Expert Committee to get international expert advice on how to proceed, including 3 members of our core group as members, Julie Battilana, Sara Lafuente, and chair, Isabelle Ferreras (See the official announcement below). This breakthrough should be seen as an encouragement to every member of our #DemocratizingWork initiative, wherever you are on this planet. Whatever the current odds, a future grounded in democratizing, decommodifying and decarbonizing work is possible. 

Remember that this information-sharing tool is your tool: a tool meant to disseminate recent debates, research results, and actual progress within and around our global network with Democratizing, Decommodifying, and Decarbonizing Work! Please share updates from your end. You can share your end of the news about #DemocratizingWork through filling out our form available here and via our website dedicated page.

Onward and upward,

The #DemocratizingWork Core Group,

Julie Battilana, Harvard University, Isabelle Ferreras, FNRS/University of Louvain-Harvard CLJE, Dominique Méda, University of Paris Dauphine PLS, 
With Alyssa Battistoni, Barnard College, Julia Cagé, Sciences Po-Paris, Neera Chandhoke, University of Delhi, Lisa Herzog, University of Groningen, Imge Kaya-Sabanci, IE Business School, Madrid, Sara Lafuente Hernandez, University of Brussels-ETUI, Hélène Landemore, Yale University, Flavia Maximo, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Brazil, Pavlina R. Tcherneva, Bard College-Levy Economics Institute

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT  

The Spanish Ministry of Labour has established an expert committee tasked with drafting a report on Article 129.2 of the Spanish Constitution. The report will outline the importance of granting workers participation and ownership rights at the firm level, and propose a pathway for the Spanish Government to move forward with economic democracy.

As part of its coalition agreement, the Spanish Government had indeed committed to legislating on this Article, making this initiative a significant step toward democratizing firms. Here is the Government’s official announcement

The committee includes three members of the #DemocratizingWork Core Group: Julie Battilana  (Harvard Business School & Harvard Kennedy School), Sara Lafuente Hernández (University of Brussels/European Trade Union Institute), and Isabelle Ferreras (FNRS/University of Louvain-Harvard CLJE), who serves as chair of the committee. The other committee members are Jeremias Adams-Prassl (University of Oxford), Edurne Ormaetxea Aurrekoetxea (University of Deusto), Vicente Salas Fumás (University of Zaragoza), Benjamin Braun (Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies), Erinch Sahan (Doughnut Economics Action Lab), Daniel Innerarity (European University Institute/University of the Basque Country), Sergio Gonzalez Begega (University of Oviedo), Isabel-Gemma Fajardo García (University of Valencia) et Antonio Baylos (University of Castilla-La Mancha). This development marks a major milestone in bringing the principles of democratizing work to the political and executive level!

You can watch Yolanda Díaz’s official presentation (in Spanish), where she discusses the committee’s mission, the significance of its work, and the broader stakes for democracy—not just for and in Spain, but across Europe and the world, followed by Isabelle Ferreras’ remarks. The Report is expected by next September.

For more information, here is a selection of the coverage:

El País (February, 20). Díaz impulsa la ley de “democracia en las empresas” con una comisión de Hay corporaciones autocráticas”. 

EFE (February, 22). "Los empresarios no deben tener miedo".

Le Monde (25 février). Face aux dérives du capitalisme financier, le gouvernement espagnol veut redonner du pouvoir aux salariés,

Industrial Relations Notes (March, 5). Available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Polish.

SAVE THE DATES

Our #DW Global Workshop Series Continues 

Time: 6am San Francisco-Vancouver | 8am Mexico City | 9am Bogotá-NYC-Montréal | 11am Santiago | 3pm Paris | 4pm Johannesburg | 7:30pm New Delhi | 9pm Jakarta | 1am Sydney

MARCH 28, Join us to continue the global conversation at the crossroad of the 3 principles. This session organized by WageIndicator, with the support of #DemocratizingWork will focus on “The Ghost Worker's: Do You Know Who's Behind Your AI?”, discussing the hidden labour of workers from the Global South. 

Chances are that you use the AI systems that have mushroomed in the last few years. Whether to create text, generate images, write code, or something else altogether, these softwares are becoming integral to our economy. But these systems aren't as 'artificial' as they may seem. While the chatbots and LLMs that you interact with might seem automated, there's an army of workers making it possible. Whether it's tagging photos, cleaning data, or verifying software, they form the invisible backbone of our new AI economy. But as this fast-growing industry expands, so do the challenges: labour rights, fair wages, and proper regulations are just the beginning.

In this workshop, we're going to unpack the hidden labour behind AI, explore the artificial intelligence supply chain, and shine a light on the realities of workers who deserve to be seen.

With the participation of Antonio A. Casilli (Polytechnic Institute of Paris, i3 CNRS and author of “Waiting for Robots”), Joan Kinyua (President of the Data Labellers Association,), Claartje ter Hoeven (Professor at Utrecht University), James Muldoon (Essex Business School, and Research Associate at Oxford Internet Institute) and Lydia Hamid (Project Manager for WageIndicator's Indonesia).

The workshop will be chaired by Fiona Dragstra (General Director of the WageIndicator Foundation) and Martijn Arets (gig economy researcher at WageIndicator Foundation).

Watch the recordings of other past #DW Global Workshops via the #DemocratizingWork dedicated webpage

March 28, Nairobi (Kenya): Africa GDC Forum 2025 – Democracy, Human Rights, and Environmental Justice

The Africa Regional Forum 2025 will convene democracy advocates, civil society leaders, policymakers, and youth representatives to address the most pressing democratic challenges and opportunities across the continent. Co-organized by The Youth Café, CAHED Kenya, CVA Rwanda, Afrobarometer, SOMWA, and the GDC, this forum will highlight the intersections between democracy, human rights, and environmental justice, emphasizing youth leadership in shaping resilient and sustainable democratic systems. 

#DW France

3 avril, Malakoff (Paris Region, France) : CasAgora – Démocratie économique et dialogue social : se réapproprier l’action syndicale

Nous vous partageons une invitation à un événement intéressant organisé par Casaco: une nouvelle édition de CasAgora, une série de rencontres conviviales pour discuter et débattre de sujets variés, dans une ambiance informelle et autour de petites gourmandises.

CALL FOR PAPERS - REMINDER

Démocratiser l’entreprise est-il en train de devenir le nouveau mantra d’une transformation radicale de la société ? Revue Internationale de l’économie sociale (RECMA), France.

La Revue internationale de l’économie sociale (RECMA) lance un appel à contributions pour un numéro spécial sur la démocratisation des entreprises, un enjeu central pour transformer durablement le travail et les organisations. Les chercheurs sont invités à explorer les pratiques, conditions, cadres théoriques, obstacles, et impacts de la démocratisation, ainsi que ses liens avec les objectifs climatiques et sociaux. Les articles, attendus pour le 15 juin 2025, pourront inclure des perspectives comparées et interdisciplinaires, couvrant notamment gouvernance, production, et redevabilité externe. Les contributions en français, anglais ou espagnol feront l’objet d’une évaluation en double aveugle. Plus d’informations : RECMA - Note aux auteurs.

Les propositions devront parvenir à l’adresse mail : contribution@agora-dodes.fr avant le 15 juin 2025. Plus de de détails sur cette page et dans l'appel à contributions!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION

AI & Democracy Initiatives: Join the Alliance for Impact

As democracy faces unprecedented challenges from disinformation, geopolitical tensions, and the rise of AI, the Worldwide Alliance for AI & Democracy is working to safeguard democratic values and build societal resilience. The Alliance focuses on three core objectives: protecting electoral integrity, strengthening democratic processes, and addressing societal challenges posed by AI.

Opportunities to Get Involved:

1. AI-Democratic Resilience Research Hub
   Support countries in developing AI LLMs that align with their democratic values. This initiative is open to research centers, universities, public institutions, and AI practitioners interested in implementing this in their country and language.
   Contact: Research@Alliance-AI-Democracy.org 
   

2. Open Citizen Assemblies on Societal Resilience to AI
   Engage citizens in shaping society’s adaptation to AI. This initiative invites research centers, universities, public institutions, democracy practitioners, and companies to help implement open assemblies in their country.
   Contact: Citizen.Assembly@Alliance-AI-Democracy.org 

A Look Back

IN THE NEWS

France - Dominique Méda avec La Montagne sur la nécessité d’une vision à long terme pour une société plus juste

Dans un récent article publié dans La Montagne.fr (16 février 2025), la sociologue et philosophe Dominique Méda (co-fondatrice de #DW) alerte sur le « tourbillon d’urgences » qui empêche une réflexion de fond sur les crises actuelles : précarisation du travail, inégalités sociales et urgence climatique. 

Dominique Méda défend une transition écologique créatrice d’emplois et une démocratie économique plus inclusive. Face au détricotage du Green Deal en Europe et à l’influence croissante de l’idéologie néolibérale, Méda appelle à replacer l’économie au service du bien commun et à redonner aux citoyens un pouvoir réel sur les décisions politiques et économiques.

PAST EVENTS

JANUARY 21, THE NETHERLANDS - Workplace Democracy

The University of Groningen hosted an event bringing together experts to discuss workplace democracy. A moment to reflect on the need to transform workplaces into true democratic spaces, just like political societies. The event featured personalities such as Professor of Political Philosophy Lisa Herzog (University of Groningen & #DW Core Group Member), Manuel Reyes (Organize the RUG, Member of the University Council at the University of Groningen), and Tuur Elzinga (Vice President of the Dutch Federation of Trade Unions, FNV).

This event highlighted the importance of putting democracy into practice, not only in our societies but also in our workplaces. Tuur Elzinga, in his recently published book “Democraten aller landen, verenigt u” (2024), argues that many of today’s challenges, such as the rise of far-right populism, stem from the perception that our institutions no longer reflect the interests of ordinary people. His solution: unite for democracy!

Click on the video to watch the recording of the panel discussion:

Janvier 29, France (Paris) Les Assises de la Démocratie en Organisations – Inspiration, Formation, Contribution

L’événement organisé à l’École des Mines Paris-PSL a réuni des experts et des personnalités clés pour discuter de l’avenir de la démocratie en entreprise. Cette journée a permis de réfléchir à l’importance de la citoyenneté économique au sein des organisations et d’élaborer des actions concrètes pour favoriser la démocratie dans le milieu du travail. Les discussions ont porté sur les enjeux de la démocratie économique, la coopération face aux transitions écologiques, et la question de savoir si les travailleurs peuvent être à la fois les sujets et les souverains de leurs organisations.

Les participants ont également pris part à des ateliers pour explorer les moyens de légiférer en faveur de la démocratie économique, réinventer les structures organisationnelles et aborder les conditions de travail sous un prisme politique.

Vous pouvez retrouver ci-dessous une série d’enregistrements de l’événement

29 janvier 2025 : Le compte rendu vidéo des assises de la démocratie en organisations

La citoyenneté économique peut-elle sauver l'avenir ? Benoît Hamon (Président d’ESS France) et Isabelle Ferreras (FNRS/University of Louvain-Harvard CLJE & membre du Core Group #DW) :

February 20-21, Belgium (Leuven) -  "Future of work: reclaiming the value of work in the digital economy"

The ETUI and the ResPecTMe project, funded by the ERC and led by Valeria Pulignano (KULeuven), hosted the fifth annual Future of Work Conference in Leuven. The event explored how digital technologies, generative AI, and algorithmic management are reshaping work, with a focus on job quality and the EU labour market. Discussions addressed key challenges such as job precarity, the impact of the digital economy on employment structures, evolving regulatory frameworks, and the future of worker empowerment in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Recordings of the two day-sessions are now available. 

NEW BOOKS OUT

Commoning Labour and Democracy at Work: When Workers Take Over (Routledge, 2025) Dario Azzellini and Marcelo Vieta.

This book investigates the return of workers’ self-management in recent decades as responses to recurring neoliberal crises. In particular, the book homes in on worker-recuperated enterprises (WREs), a promising form of workers’ self-organization whereby workers restart troubled, bankrupt, or shuttered companies as cooperatives or other forms of democratic workplace.

Drawing on a range of contemporary case studies from numerous countries in the Global South and North, as well as new theories of workers’ self-management, the book contributes a critical development, political economic, and class-struggle Marxist perspective to the re-emergent labour question within anti-systemic social movements, while theorizing the transformative nature of WREs for workers, work organizations, and communities.

Bringing a class-analysis back into current discourses and debates concerning democracy at work and alternatives to global capital, this book will be of interest to researchers across the fields of development studies, labour studies, political economy, sociology of development, sociology of work, and political science.

BOOK AWARD

February 19. Democratizing the Corporation: The Bicameral Firm and Beyond awarded the William Foote Whyte and Kathleen King Whyte Book Prize!

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing has announced the 2025 William Foote Whyte and Kathleen King Whyte Book Prize, an award recognizing significant contributions to the advancement of economic democracy.

BLOG POST

February, 3. Ethical and Safe AI Development: Corporate Governance is the Missing Piece (Oxford University blog, Institute for Ethics in AI, 2025), Isabelle Ferreras. 

As the global debate on AI regulation intensifies, one crucial aspect remains overlooked: corporate governance. Isabelle Ferreras (#DW Core Group member), Distinguished research fellow of the Institute for Ethics in AI, argues that ensuring ethical and safe AI development requires empowering labor investors and giving AI workers a real voice in corporate decision-making. With the first-ever AI Safety Report set to be discussed at the AI Action Summit in Paris, now is the time to move the conversation decisively beyond the false dichotomy innovation/regulation, and beyond mere whistleblower protections.

Read the full article here:

PODCAST 

France Culture: La question du travail avec Dominique Méda et Denis Olivennes

Dans un épisode récent du podcast France Inter, Alain Finkielkraut reçoit Dominique Méda (membre du Core Group #DW) professeure de sociologie à Paris-Dauphine, et Denis Olivennes, chef d’entreprise et essayiste, pour débattre d’une question brûlante : la place du travail dans la société française. Alors que la dernière réforme des retraites a suscité de vastes mobilisations, les tensions restent vives autour du rapport des Français au travail, entre accusations de paresse et inquiétudes sur l’avenir.

Dominique Méda s’attache à déconstruire certains mythes, notamment l’idée selon laquelle la France refuserait l’effort alors que d’autres pays auraient accepté un départ à la retraite plus tardif. Elle souligne les réalités du terrain : pour de nombreux actifs, le travail est devenu insoutenable, et près de 37 % des travailleurs déclaraient déjà en 2019 qu’ils ne pourraient pas tenir jusqu’à l’âge légal de départ.

NEWS FROM AROUND OUR NETWORK

In Argentina, the March 8 protests became a strong demonstration against President Javier Milei’s government, as thousands of citizens marched in Buenos Aires and across the country. Protesters, wearing green scarves symbolizing the feminist movement, condemned the administration’s dismantling of gender policies. The closure of the Ministry of Women, Gender, and Diversity in 2024, along with severe budget cuts to social programs for victims of gender-based violence, highlighted what activists called the worst regression in women's rights in a decade.

The government’s decision to remove femicide as a distinct crime from the Penal Code, arguing that violence has no gender, has fueled further public outrage. Feminist organizations argue that recognizing femicide is crucial for developing policies to combat gender-based violence. Cuts to essential programs such as financial assistance for survivors and emergency helplines have left many women more vulnerable.

The resistance in Argentina underscores the urgent need to defend women's rights against a growing tide of reactionary politics that threaten to erode fundamental freedoms. 

The March 8 protests were more than a national response—they were part of a global fight to resist the rollback of rights and to reaffirm that gender equality is not negotiable. 

For more information on the protests, see the coverage by:

UOL Notícias: "Marcha pelo 8 de Março na Argentina se transforma em maré contra Milei"