In the name of security: Governmentality apparatus in a multilingual mine in Arctic Finland

This critical sociolinguistic study explores how mining work is governed in the name of security a mine Arctic Finland. Although industry dominated by multinational corporations, mines themselves tend to be concentrated peripheries where mobile and multilingual workforce recruited. Mining high-risk business: industrial accidents environmental damage can severe. Discursive practices play crucial role risk management. In this study, nexus language, security, production analyzed applying Foucauldian concept ‘governmentality’. The data comprise ethnographic observations, work-related documents, interviews collected onsite 2018-2019. analysis illustrates are interwoven mine’s safety program that applies neoliberal logic responsibilization disciplinary strategies surveillance, supervision regulations. On broader level, governmentality apparatus serves state securitizing its economy population. Tämä kriittinen sosiolingvistinen tutkimus tarkastelee, miten kaivostyötä hallitaan turvallisuuden nimissä monikielisessä kaivoksessa Pohjois-Suomessa. Vaikka kaivosteollisuutta hallitsevat monikansalliset yritykset, kaivosalueet ovat keskittyneet periferioihin, jonne liikkuvaa ja monikielistä työvoimaa rekrytoidaan. Kaivosteollisuus on suuren riskin liiketoimintaa: työtapaturmat ympäristöonnettomuudet voivat olla vakavia. Diskursiiviset käytänteet keskiössä riskienhallinnassa. Tässä artikkelissa sovelletaan Foucault’n käsitettä ’hallinnallisuus’ kielen, tuotannon risteymän analysoimiseen kaivostyössä. Aineisto koostuu etnografisista havainnoinneista, haastatteluista työhön liittyvistä dokumenteista, jotka kerätty kaivoksella 2018–2019. Analyysi havainnollistaa, kuinka organisaation hallintatekniikat pohjautuvat sekä neoliberaaliin vastuullistamisen logiikkaan että kurinpidollisiin strategioihin, kuten tarkkailuun, valvontaan määräyksiin. Turvallisuus tuotanto kietoutuneet yhteen kaivoksen turvallisuusohjelmassa. Laajemmalla tasolla hallintajärjestelmä palvelee valtiota sen talouden väestön turvaamisessa. risks for substantial (see Kröger, 2016; Rolston, 2010). Communication considered essential mining, which long working hours, tasks, shift pose major challenges (Chirkov et al., 2017: 62). Hence, unsuccessful communication regarded as reason occupational industries (Albert 2014; Keffane, 2015). However, research has questioned notion straightforward causality between language problems Daveluy, 2012; Kraft, 2019, 2020; Theodoropoulou, 2019). higher accident rates among migrant employees also explained aspects other than such employee leasing system constantly changing personnel (Kraft, 2020). Capitalist entails corporations seek transfer organizations individuals, temporary staff subcontractors (Daudigeos Gray, 2009). A strong focus weaken perception increase organizational (Goh 2012). it interests keep rate low, not least uninterruptedly stream Finland owned corporation. Whereas global involving transnational financial international markets (Ellem, 2015), mineral deposits place specific (Kröger, 2016: 543; Suopajärvi 2017). Finland, “golden era” began 1960s when brought large-scale factory new infrastructure northern (Pietikäinen & Allan, Since mid-2000s, prospecting minerals again grown rapidly 2016). 2017, was ranked best country world investing (Stedman Green, 2018) due low land costs taxes, detailed geodata, reliable legislative procedures, good Noras, Tolvanen Because mostly located peripheral areas, regions have centuries been characterized labor mobility communities Cornips Muysken, 2019; Pietikäinen, Hiss, Most issues addressed historical cases (e.g. de Rooij, 2017; Marzo, Ethnographic studies rare, probably because gaining access projects challenging strict procedures (see, however, Aikman, Bell, Workplace some extent studied ethnographically disciplines Handford Matous, 2015; 2019)1. contributes strand context. To explore multilingualism, from approach, I apply concepts ‘governmentality’ ‘apparatus’ (Foucault, Governmentality refers technologies institutions govern individuals’ conduct thoughts (Dean, 1999; Foucault, 2002, 2009; Rose, 1999). Closely related governmentality, complex assemblage2 discourses, practices, regulations answer an urgent need behavior certain ways (Agamben, article investigates utilizing discourse analytic gathered (2018–2019). analyze interconnections contradictions governing economy, insights analytical approach (Lane, Scollon Scollon, 2007; Strömmer, utilizes different discursive forms power, especially logics including preventive surveillance supervision. apparatus. Foucault (2002) uses describe states use control individuals – case workers directly, but subtle, indirect ways. Through aims at securing health, welfare, wealth population drawing knowledge technical means 1999: 19–20). governance society happens through economic, social, psychological, biological processes 111). limited within nation-state’s borders only draw fields Kaisto Pyykkönen, 2010: 23). make perform beneficial desired (Rose 2006). Furthermore, following logic, governmentalizing forces aim shaping selfhood process (Urla, 2019: 267). Neoliberal constructed, strengthened, disseminated via daily institutional (Martín Rojo Del Percio, 2). previous adopting framework primarily focused analyzing used medium management, guidance, training learners (Flubacher Martín Rojo, 2019), (Barakos, Dlaske, 2016), unemployed immigrants (Allan, 2013; 2018). These shown ‘technologies self’, making them internalize requirements responsibility, flexibility, employability, and, seemingly voluntarily, regulate their accordingly. saw assemblage modalities power (sovereign, disciplinary, governmentalizing) did clear-cut distinction 264). Accordingly, exercised authorities regulation, product docile useful subjects part Dlaske Here, formed with identifying regimes applied work. investigate concrete modes behaviors Foucault’s By apparatus, (2009: 20–21) measures, groups thus relates formation mechanisms, “as function given moment responding need” 1980: 194). having instant effect 2009: 8). present mine, decrease rate, called “Supervision Formula”, “Work Card System”, most recently, “Safety Round” introduced. does refer alone more broadly “a thoroughly heterogeneous ensemble consisting institutions, architectural forms, regulatory decisions, laws, administrative scientific statements, philosophical, moral philanthropic propositions relations established these elements” Discourses, talk, texts, genres workplace central apparatuses act networks power. understand sense, embodiment texts institutions. (2009) defined three possible principles respect space, events, norms: (a) juridico-legal, (b) (c) based. juridico-legal law punishment: defines what forbidden includes penalties 20). breaching rules, could mean being fired contrast, draws normation setting ideal model follow 85). settings, appropriate supported 740). analyzes places, times, actions, operations actions linked together organization’s functions defining steps safely. important card system. provides safe routine acts mechanism throughout area. centripetal space mechanisms without limits, confining phenomenon, safety, discipline everything 67). way, differs security-based centrifugal: instead sphere operations, targets whole controlling accepts fact happen Daudigeos works interaction apparatuses. conducted Lapland, region tourism fastest growing industries, both capitalize nature. While marketed imaginaries untouched nature, very same areas potentially contradicts Pietikäinen Lapland suffered high unemployment, justified jobs generated sector (Ranta-Tyrkkö, 2018: 220). Compared seasonal low-paid industry, year-round, well-paid fulltime life spans prices fluctuate, even vulnerable economic fluctuations, evidenced during COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, unlike tourism, women’s requiring hostessing skills, employs men Veijola Jokinen, 2008). here corporation continents. one biggest employers upholding responsible policy. Before starting companies gain local acceptance, manifested Social License Operate (SLO), addition mandatory license (Heikkinen Lesser Job creation, regional people, strategy ethical approval (Bell, 2017) exactly company highlights web pages, publicly available materials, public events. When opened, many changed career owing better terms conditions employment. organized cooperation employment office hundreds people living neighboring municipalities order hire them. Finland’s services run, courses produce employable who meet needs. secure create well-being creating productive citizens workplaces Dean, 19, 116–118). opened Finnish management sent headquarters supervise start operations. For first few years, main English, although meetings documents were English Finnish. mineworkers mainly communicated Finnish, interpretation needed. years ago, line company’s policy running managements, Finnish-speaking managers recruited replace expats. Consequently, exception extension require specialized nowadays language. Based my HR personnel, skills required positions underground manual work, dominant practical choice linguistic resource freely company. responsibly, dismiss or lay off workers. Instead, fluctuation needs managed hired construction surplus expand times peak demand Ellem, Roberts, 1995). execute building (tunnels, roads, electricity) permanent tasks cleaning, loading ore, maintaining roads they contribute knowledge, machinery, techniques pertaining Subcontractors vary number average supply about half workforce. Many based while others come from, e.g. Sweden, Norway, Bulgaria, Poland, Spain, Portugal Table 1). employed pass orientation exam, online English. Thus, theory, either required. practice, workers’ rather limited, leaving foremen team members brokers speak Swedish subcontractors’ employees, since Swedish, official comprehensive school know well closeness border. Such may economically motivated flexible Duchêne Heller, Flores, produces metal ore processing. environment: drifts blasted old ones filled in, tunnels worksites change individually small teams two shifts, night day shift, operating machinery drilling, loading, transporting ore. Moving poor visibility caused darkness, dust, fog communicate radiophones, inform heading minerals. signs often accompanied pictures, emergency evacuation messages transmitted radiophones languages: Swedish. adopted designed matter socially, politically (Heller Heller al. (2017: 15) see ethnography dynamic, non-linear production” ethnographer maps, traces, connects categories, processes, encountered field her claims. kind rhizomatic conducting links analysis, aids tracing connectivity trajectories social actors, resources, discourses intersect enable action under scrutiny combining connections kinds situated observations. 2018–2019 spent 4 months total municipality located. It took time effort organization. research, co-researchers3 visited discuss project negotiate consent. During visits, we mapped participants activities followed large Following negotiations, obtained permission mine. protect participant anonymity, agreed withhold names details. area, recognized those knowledgeable field. possibility raised accepted before obtaining found lessons participate lessons. course acquainted me everyday link mineworkers. introduced myself researcher, aged 35 65 positioned me, younger woman, skilled languages novice practices. helpful, willing tell use, (pseudonyms Juhani Jussi) allowed observe efficient hence highly relevant workdays participating course. told speaking German, Italian. Therefore, asked visit worksite Italian-speaking him. protocols, limited. received shifts four times. move area had hosts: attended beginning each after cars tunnels. subordinates, sometimes join otherwise stayed car if unsafe step out. talked lot opportunities talk themselves. When, face, met (mostly male) coffee room, interested was. hearing shared experiences conversations general brief. Another limitation collection take photographs record underground. made fieldnotes possible. scope observations recordings provided contextual included conversation exercises discussed security-related brochures, news leaflets cards circulating turned out tool program, therefore, Section 5.2. 17 semi-structured interviews. 2018 interviewed foremen, engineers, training, communication, specialists (12 interviews). obtain informants’ recruitment, history card. Eleven offices meeting rooms restaurant outside municipal officers town hall 2017 (five significance nation. historically embedded action, ‘discourses place’ according constructed actors (Scollon 2004, 163). define perspective relatively stable constructing meanings viewpoint 1972, 80). Discourses material consequences (Määttä 2014), therefore Safety materially signified norm became evident 15 visits At gate, sign informed visitors cameras cover photography forbidden. text visual symbols. Past next parking lot, electronic announced days last led sick leave accident-free row. indicates collective responsibility mitigating enter administration portal announce own, employer’s, host’s names, then reported visitor accounting inscribed badge. manuals desk. fenced contained mineworkers’ buildings As visitor, iron gate host. housing locker stood opposite gate. building, reminders helmets, gear, signs, clearly visible. observing issued protective clothing: jacket “VISITOR” printed back, footwear, goggles, helmet, miner’s lamp, earplugs, respirator. addition, GPS tracker: everybody moving carried movements (Fieldnotes March 12, anxious never so deep appreciated gear got. discursively priority excerpt below, taken leading written manager, annual newsletter targeted stakeholders. excerpt, describes halt processing plant, plant discussed: Extract 1: Greetings manager May June, shut down almost regular maintenance extending plant. Everything went planned no severe occurred despite subcontractors. We get back midsummer slightly ahead time. wellbeing our always priority. year, Round, extensive aimed further enhancing culture. want own sub-contractors hold close hearts. year invested developing well-being. focuses people’s productivity, Lemke, 2001), all visible excerpt. several gives example successfully exceptional circumstances: 2-month break planned” “severe accidents” “despite subcontractors”. mentioned connection accidents, albeit negation (“no accidents”, “despite”), probability multiple contractors simultaneously. Accident frequency reports showed involved workers, situation improved 2019 –the now pays attention statistics contract (email specialist, January 3, “technologies knowledge”: facilitate managing group informing groups’ characteristics regularities 263). mentions extended sooner predicted, thereby showing productivity intertwined word choices “production” “invested” hint discourse, priority: here. second paragraph, relation employees. sentence, referred “our employees”, i.e. belonging later separately, along “own employees”. textual constructs distinct special relevance safety. regulations, measures b