Re-engaging with the state: examining (prospective) links between labour geography and labour inspection

The discussion is organized as follows. The first section provides a brief account of Labour Geography’s engagements with the state, outlining a gap in the literature in terms of labour’s ability/success in engaging state bodies for the cause of protecting working people. The chapter then outlines some key challenges the state has faced when it comes to upholding labour laws, rights and entitlements, identifying a role for labour in the growing use of ‘smart’ techniques and those geared to encouraging the self-regulation of capital. This is achieved through the main discussion, which examines the role of faith-based organizations (FBOs) in assisting state labour inspectorates. This includes a focus on new strategies for tackling modern slavery by encouraging religious followers (and the public generally) to better observe and report labour abuses in the course of activities in the private sphere. A final example of this theme in turn shows how regulatory efforts to access and shape the private lives of capital owners and managers has also emerged as an important means of rules enforcement which helps overcome challenges to labour inspection. The chapter concludes by suggesting future directions for Labour Geography in line with a renewed engagement with the theme of regulation and social reproduction.