The debate on globalisation often focuses on the challenge of identifying who are the "winners" and "losers". This study proposes that a more appropriate question to ask is rather "who is winning less?", and it explores this question in the context of the construction and real estate sectors in Accra, Ghana. The research follows a mixed-method approach to examine (i) patterns of collaboration and competition between domestic and foreign firms and (ii) working conditions and employment preference of workers, which are divided in three categories: managers, skilled workers, and unskilled workers.
The findings reveal a complex landscape of winners including local managerial staff, skilled employees, unskilled employees, big local contractors, but also small and less competitive local companies. The extent of each category's gain is however quite different, and the study goes on to argue that demands for pro-poor social change in industrial relations are dampened and slowed down by the existence of gains, albeit small, even at the lowest level of the distribution pyramid. We suggest that the reframing and enforcement of labour and foreign investment regulations are key priorities if national policy is to enable pro-poor growth.