Building in a Transforming Society. An Exploration of the Dynamic Interplay Between Construction Workers and Contractors in Post-war Belgium 1944-1980
Promotors: Inge Bertels, Lara Schrijver
Funder: BOF UAntwerpen
This study explores the evolving social dynamics between contractors and workers in the Belgian construction industry during the first three decades after the Second World War. As a key driver of economic growth, construction played a crucial role in rebuilding society and infrastructure, with success depending on cooperation between employers and employees. Despite institutionalised social dialogue, tensions remained due to conflicting interests between capital and labour, making social relations in construction complex and dynamic.
The research fills a gap in the field of Construction History by focusing on worker-employer interactions and agency, often overlooked in previous studies. It adopts a multi-level approach, addressing sectoral and company levels. Social relations in the construction industry are examined through issues such as productivity, working conditions, safety and training. Case studies of three contractors highlight differences between sector-wide trends and company-specific practices, drawing on interviews, visual material, and written sources. Moreover, the study situates workplace dynamics within Belgium's broader societal changes.
This approach reveals that cooperation and conflict between contractors and workers was one of the driving forces behind the modernisation of the industry. Technological advancements and changes in the division of labour were motivated by shared goals, though disparities existed between firms and construction methods. The study demonstrates how sectoral changes influenced daily work practices and social structures in the industry and vice versa, offering new insights into the historical development of the Belgian construction industry.
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