Context
Wars, the rising costs of living, increasing inequality, and the global ecological emergency are increasingly threatening the well-being of Europeans. This crisis of life on earth is inadequately answered by existing green policies, which are limited by their obsession with technological innovation and GDP-centric measures of success. Degrowing our oversized economy is the only way to reduce its material footprint in favor of people and the planet. The question of labour is key in the way the polycrisis is addressed. The transformation of economic and industrial processes must begin with
those who power them: rank-and-file workers. At first sight, degrowth seems to be contrary to workers’ interests, i.e., their need for an economy that provides good quality jobs. However, the reality is more complex.
Nora Räthzel is professor emerita at the Universität Umeå, Sweden. Her research areas are: Environmental Labour Studies, Trade union’s environmental policies, transnational corporations from the standpoint of workers, and the way in which practices of resistance and subordination develop in these contexts. Publications include: Räthzel, N., Stevis, Dimitris (2025) The role of labour and nature within just transition strategies. The Elgar Companion to Decent Work and the Sustainable Development Goals; Räthzel, N. (2023) Society – Labour – Nature: the Potential of Conflict, Critical sustainability sciences: intercultural and emancipatory perspectives; Räthzel, N., Stevis, Dimitris, Uzzell, David (2021) The Palgrave Handbook of Environmental Labour Studies; Räthzel, N.; Uzzell, David (2019) The future of work defines the future of humanity and all living species. International Journal of Labour Research; Räthzel, N. Diana Mulinari, Aina Tollefsen (2014) Transnational Corporations from the Standpoint of Workers. Palgrave.
next steps
With this document, our aim is to firmly place worker-led degrowth transitions on the political agenda.
Help us do so by sharing this summary within your network or by reaching out to us or the author to organize an event, an interview, or any other project.
citation
Rhatzel, N. (2026, February). Bread & roses: Workers as agents of degrowth [Policy brief n.6]. Research & Degrowth International.
contact us!
Policy Brief author: Nora Räthzel
E-mail: nora.rathzel@umu.se
Publisher: Research & Degrowth International
E-mail: project@degrowth.org
Further reading on Environmental Labour Studies
· Räthzel, N., Stevis, Dimitris (2025). The role of labour and nature within just transition strategies. The Elgar Companion to Decent Work and the Sustainable Development Goals
· Räthzel, N. (2023). Society – Labour – Nature: the Potential of Conflict, Critical sustainability sciences: intercultural and emancipatory perspectives.
· Räthzel, N., Stevis, Dimitris, Uzzell, David (2021). The Palgrave Handbook of Environmental Labour Studies
· Räthzel, N.; Uzzell, David (2019). The future of work defines the future of humanity and all living species. International Journal of Labour Research
· Räthzel, N. Diana Mulinari, Aina Tollefsen (2014). Transnational Corporations from the Standpoint of Workers. Palgrave.