CANCELLED.

Larry Saha Room (Haydon-Allen 2175). Presented by Dr. Paul Mathews, Research Fellow, APHCRI, ANU College of Medicine, Biology & Environment.

This paper explores the economic basis of and exploitation in the Adult/Asian Cam Model (ACM) industry. The paper documents and theorizes the piece-rate system under which ACMs work; it is a labour-remuneration system that is pre-industrial, almost Dickensian, but one that is brought about, ironically, by 21st century technology.  In particular, I develop marxist theory of why piece rates are INTRINSICALLY exploitative. Most theories/papers on piece rates discuss the "best" way to implement this remuneration system, and how it can be best utilized to benefit participants and refer to "risk". But none, other than 2 papers, note the intrinsic exploitative nature of piece rates, and do so only in passing. Indeed, even Marx glosses over the notion. I also explore who benefits from the industry, and how. While it is clear that the Internet Service Provider (ISP) sites benefit monetarily, as do some of the ACMs' bosses, it remains problematic if and how ACMs themselves benefit from the payment system under which they labour.