Final answer:
Casualisation of the workforce refers to the trend of hiring workers on non-permanent, flexible contracts, driven by the need for cost efficiency and adaptability in response to market pressures, including technological advances and restrictive labor laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'casualisation of the workforce' refers to the increasing trend in employment practices where businesses hire workers on temporary, flexible, or part-time contracts rather than permanent or full-time positions. This shift in hiring practices is largely driven by companies' desires to have a more adaptable and cost-efficient labor force. The workers, in this scenario, often lack the benefits and job security associated with traditional full-time employment. Casualization can be seen as a response to various market pressures, including economic downturns, the need to reduce labor costs, and advances in technology such as automation, which make it easier to replace routine human tasks with machines.
For instance, labor laws like those in France can encourage businesses to limit permanent hires, opting instead for temporary contracts to avoid the bureaucracy and financial obligations triggered by reaching a certain number of full-time employees. Moreover, in some sectors, like hospitality and fast food, there is a trend towards 'McDonaldization', with highly routinized roles and tasks, further perpetuating the ease of the worker interchangeability. These market dynamics have redefined the job landscape, often at the expense of worker stability and benefits.