Paper short abstract:

This paper explores ideologies and practices of dispossession in modern food factories in western Nepal. It suggests a reading of dispossession processes in industrial environments that goes beyond the public/private dichotomy.

Paper long abstract:

This paper explores processes of dispossession in modern, private industrial food-factories in western Nepal. It makes a twofold argument: Firstly, the paper lays out how the dispossession of a certain segment of Nepal's industrial working class is related to recent developments in the political economy of the country. More specifically, the paper shows how in western Nepal Maoist unions both empowered the ‚right' ethnic segment of Nepal's industrial working classes while simultaneously facilitated the dispossession of another ethnic segment of the working classes. Secondly, the paper puts forward the argument that such complex processes of dispossessions are often also justified and legitimized by referring to religious beliefs and practices. Those at the top and mid-ranks of the industrial hierarchy are using religious practices and discourses to justify the dispossession of other less fortunate workers. The paper concludes by suggesting a reading of dispossession processes in industrial environments that goes beyond the logics of the public/private dichotomy.