Few public and social policy subjects have attracted as much attention as Affirmative Action Policy (AAP) in social sciences. AAP’s main aim is to eliminate or prevent past discrimination against disadvantaged groups and to enhance their position in society. Its role has become controversial around the world. In Saudi Arabia, despite changes and improvements in laws and strategies, over past decades, to tackle the age-old issue of native unemployment, the problem is still deeply ingrained in society. This research has investigated the role, effectiveness and consequences of AAP on Saudi labour market structure. The research has employed a pragmatic methodology over three phases of analysis. The first phase has been based on an interpretive paradigm, and been conducted through semi-structured interviews with labour market experts, to identify and understand the policy. The interviews have been analysed using a thematic analysis technique. The findings of this phase contributed significantly to the understanding of AAP’s legislative nature and role. Two different historical versions of AAP (pre- and post-2011) have been identified. The earlier version (pre-2011) was found to be a non-strategic and vague policy that made no real impact on natives’ employment, while the new version (post-2011) has been positive in increasing native employment (relatively), but it has been associated with serious unintended consequences due to its stricter enforcement. The second phase has been based on a positivist paradigm, and been conducted through time-series analysis (2004-2014), to examine policy effects on labour market structure. The results have indicated that, in addition to the continuing issue of the high inward flow of expatriates, AAP has failed to either improve the distribution of job opportunities across the country, or enhance structural issues with some occupations in the private sector. The third phase has also been based on a positivist paradigm, and was carried out using a survey (sent to over 1,000 participants) examining the policy’s socio-psychological effects on employees. The findings have suggested that employees tend to perceive AAP negatively. Mainly, the results reveal a strong correlation between AAP and all types of discrimination, both individual and institutional, and such a negative perception of discrimination has direct and indirect effects on employees’ intention to leave. The main contribution of this research is to provide much desired information on the AAP’s practice and approaches, in an interesting context. The research provides vital information about old and new AAP legislations in Saudi Arabia. Two frameworks have been developed, (with one being tested), to understand the policy effects from different perspectives. Importantly, the research shows how a strict form of AAP can have side effects on the beneficiary group and destabilise the labour market.

Denna studie undersöker hur illegala polska migranter lever och arbetar i Stockholm. Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka varför polacker väljer illegal invandring till Stockholm som strategy. Dessutom hur strukturer i den svenska arbetsmarknaden och kontrol myndigheter påverkar dem. Studien visar att de flesta polacker hade kontakter med polska nätverk som redan var etablerade i Sverige före tanken på migration som en möjlig strategy tog form. Starka länkar kunde utskiljas mellan dessa nätverk i Stockholm och två regioner i norra Polen. Länkar kunde också utskiljas till tre regioner i södra Polen. Resultaten visar att strukturer inom den svenska arbetsmarknaden har gjort hemstädning till en niche för polacker som arbetar svart i Stockholm. Studien visar att många arbetade svart inom bygg och trädgårdsbranchen, dock inte i samma uttsträckning. Att resa genom Tyskland för att ta sig till Sverige var ett vanligt sätt att kringgå starka gränskontroller före det polska EU medlemskapet. Det svenska personnumret fungerar väl som kontrolfunktion och gör det svårt för illegala polacker att hyra lägenheter. För att kringgå detta hyr de ofta enstaka rum istället. En majoritet av polacker i studien tror inte att ett polsk EU medlemskap kommer att påverka deras arbete och leverne i Stockholm och kommer därmed fortsätta att arbeta svart. / This thesis is a study on Polish irregular migrants living and working in the Stockholm metropolitan region. The aim of the paper is to find out why Poles choose irregular migration to Stockholm as a strategy, and how the Swedish labour market structure and control authorities influence them. This study shows that most Poles had contacts with Polish networks already established in Sweden before contemplating irregular migration as a strategy. Strong links could be found between these networks in Stockholm and two regions in northern Poland. Clear links were also found to three regions in southern Poland. Swedish labour market structure has helped to make domestic cleaning a niche for undocumented Poles in Stockholm although many were also working in the gardening and building/renovation sectors. Results from this paper show that strong Swedish control functions make a number of survival strategies necessary to enter and live undocumented in Sweden. Transiting through Germany was a common way for undocumented Poles to bypass strong Swedish migration controls before Poland joined the EU. Internal control functions such as the Swedish personal ID number make renting apartments difficult for undocumented Poles, which make renting rooms a better option. A majority of undocumented Poles do not believe that Poland%u2019s membership will affect their work and lives in Stockholm and they will therefore continue to work undocumented.