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Barreto, César, Stéphane Carcillo, Jonas Fluchtmann, Alexandre Georgieff, Alexander Hijzen, Daniele Pacifico, Eliza-Jane Pearsall & Agnes Puymoyen (2025): Low-wage employment in France. A cross-country perspective. (OECD social, employment and migration working papers 313), Paris, 47 S. DOI:10.1787/82539f44-en

Abstract

"This study investigates factors favoring a possible "smicardization" of French workers - the process of an increasing coverage of workers at the minimum wage. First, the minimum wage is relatively high in France compared with other countries, with the result that a large number of workers are close to it. Second, low wages reflect less the characteristics of firms or sectors than the low skills of workers, the resolution of which requires appropriate education and training policies, effective over the long-term. Finally, an analysis of tax and benefit systems highlights the existence of potential low-wage trap mechanisms, which are particularly significant in France compared to other countries. Nevertheless, analysis of individual trajectories shows that it is no more difficult for low-wage workers to climb the wage ladder in France than in the other selected countries." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Pedersen, Siri Hansen & Georg Picot (2023): Regulating low wages: cross-national policy variation and outcomes. In: Socio-economic review, Jg. 21, H. 4, S. 2093-2116. DOI:10.1093/ser/mwad019

Abstract

"This article provides a comparative analysis of three central policies to regulate low wages: statutory minimum wages, state support for collective bargaining and topping up low wages with public transfers (in-work benefits). We map the variation of these policies across 33 OECD countries and analyze the incidence of low-wage employment they are associated with. We find three approaches to regulating low wages. In the first, 'wage scale protection', states put most emphasis on supporting collective bargaining. In the second, 'bare minimum', there is not much else than the statutory minimum wage. In the third, 'state pay', the statutory minimum wage is supplemented by sizeable public financial support for low earners. When analyzing policy outcomes, 'wage scale protection' is associated with least low-wage employment. For 'bare minimum', much depends on the level of the statutory minimum wage. Although 'state pay' props up workers' disposable income, many workers receive low gross pay." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Schnabel, Claus (2021): Low-wage employment. Are low-paid jobs stepping stones to higher-paid jobs, do they become persistent, or do they lead to recurring unemployment? (IZA world of labor 276), Bonn, 10 S. DOI:10.15185/izawol.276.v2

Abstract

"Ungeachtet geringer Aufwärtsmobilität können Niedriglohnjobs für manche Arbeitnehmergruppen ein Sprungbrett zu besser bezahlten Arbeitsplätzen bilden. Dieser Befund kann „Work first“-Strategien wohlfahrtsstaatlicher Reformen unterstützen. Allerdings ist Niedriglohnbeschäftigung kein selbstkorrigierendes System, sondern kann Narben hinterlassen. Um Aufstiegschancen zu vergrößern, ist ein ganzheitlicher Politikansatz notwendig: er sollte Strategien der aktiven Arbeitsmarktpolitik ebenso umfassen wie eine Philosophie des lebenslangen Lernens und die Unterstützung von Unternehmen, die stärker in die Qualifizierung ihrer Beschäftigten investieren und ihnen bessere Perspektiven außerhalb des Niedriglohnsegments verschaffen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Abrassart, Aurélien (2015): Low-skill jobs or jobs for low-skilled workers? An analysis of the institutional determinants of the employment rates of low-educated workers in 19 OECD countries, 1997 - 2010. In: Journal of European social policy, Jg. 25, H. 2, S. 225-241. DOI:10.1177/0958928715573485

Abstract

"We often hear that the high unemployment rates of low-educated workers in Europe are due to the rigidities of the institutions increasing the labour costs that burden employers. In this article, we challenge this traditional view and offer alternative explanations to the cross-national variation in the employment rate of low-educated workers. Using macro-data and an error correction model, we analyse the determinants of the creation of jobs for low-educated workers in 19 countries between 1997 and 2010. Our findings tend to invalidate the neoliberal view, while also pointing to the positive impact of investing in public employment services and the predominant role of economic growth, which can be weakened by union density and employment protection in the case of male workers. Last but not least, creating low skill jobs has no or little impact on the employment outcomes of low-educated workers, thus indicating job displacement issues." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Escudero, Verónica (2015): Are active labour market policies effective in activating and integrating low-skilled individuals? An international comparison. (PSE working paper / Paris School of Economics 2015-01), Paris, 45 S.

Abstract

"This paper examines the effectiveness of active labour market policies (ALMPs) in improving labour market outcomes, especially of low-skilled individuals. The empirical analysis consists of an aggregate impact approach based on a pooled cross country and time series database for 31 advanced countries during the period 1985 - 2010. A novelty of the paper is that it includes aspects of the delivery system to see how the performance of ALMPs is affected by different implementation characteristics. Among the notable results, the paper finds that ALMPs matter at the aggregate level, both, in terms of reducing unemployment, but also in terms of increasing employment and participation. Interestingly, start-up incentives are more effective in reducing unemployment than other ALMPs. The positive effects seem to be particularly beneficial for the low-skilled. In terms of implementation, the paper finds that the most favourable aspect is the allocation of resources to programme administration. Finally, a disruption of policy continuity is associated with negative effects for all labour market variables analysed." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Windisch, Hendrickje Catriona (2015): Adults with low literacy and numeracy skills. A literature review on policy intervention. (OECD education working papers 123), Paris, 125 S. DOI:10.1787/5jrxnjdd3r5k-en

Abstract

"Identifying effective policy interventions for adults with low literacy and numeracy skills has become increasingly important. The PIAAC Survey of Adult Skills has revealed that a considerable number of adults in OECD countries possess only limited literacy and numeracy skills, and governments now recognise the need to up-skill low-skilled adults in order to maintain national prosperity, especially in the context of structural changes and projected population ageing. Against this background, this literature review examines the current evidence on policy interventions for adults with low literacy and numeracy skills to clarify which targeted policy levers could best enhance socio-economic returns. Despite progress in measuring adult skills and extensive literature describing practices used in adult literacy and numeracy programmes, there is little analysis of the effects of different interventions on learners. This literature review therefore attempts to bring together the analytical insights from research and practice to provide a broad picture of what has so far proven to motivate low-skilled adults to join and persist in literacy and numeracy learning. The paper shows that low basic skills levels of adults are a complex policy problem that has neither straightforward causes nor straightforward solutions and successful interventions are relatively uncommon. Tackling serious literacy and numeracy weaknesses is challenging because the group of low-skilled adults is diverse and requires different, well-targeted interventions. But there is now an emerging body of evidence on the approaches to teaching and learning that can make life-changing differences to adults in need. The paper identifies formative assessment, e-learning, and contextualisation and embedding (especially in the workplace and family context) as effective approaches to basic skills teaching. The central challenge is to put the evidence to work." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Saint-Martin, Anne, Paolo Falco, Alexander Hijzen, Andrea Bassanini, Hande Inanc, Stijn Broecke, Glenda Quintini, Mark Keese, Sandrine Cazes & Balint Menyhert (sonst. bet. Pers.) (2014): OECD employment outlook 2014. (OECD employment outlook), Paris, 289 S. DOI:10.1787/empl_outlook-2014-en

Abstract

"The 2014 edition of the OECD Employment Outlook provides an in-depth review of recent labour market trends and short-term prospects in OECD countries. It zooms in on how the crisis has affected earnings, showing that the low paid have not been spared from a substantial slowdown in real wage growth. While more subdued earnings growth can help to restore competitiveness and employment growth, which is essential to drive down unemployment, the quality of the jobs being created also matters. The complexity of job quality can be captured through three dimensions: earnings; labour market security; and quality of the work environment. There are large differences across countries in each of these dimensions, but there is no need to trade off job quality for quantity: some countries manage to do well on both counts. Non-regular employment can have an adverse impact on job quality, especially in terms of employment security and the difficulties of moving to a job with a permanent contract. Reform to employment protection legislation is necessary in some countries to reduce high levels of non-regular jobs. Skills are a key determinant of a person's chances of working in a highquality job, as new results from the OECD's international Survey of Adult Skills show. This depends not just on the skills workers already have, but also on how these skills are used in the workplace, which in turn reflects countries' labour market institutions and policies.

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Boeri, Tito (2012): Setting the minimum wage. In: Labour economics, Jg. 19, H. 3, S. 281-290. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2012.01.001

Abstract

"The process leading to the setting of the minimum wage so far has been overlooked by economists. There are two common ways of setting national minimum wages: they are either government legislated or the byproduct of collective bargaining agreements, which are extended erga omnes to all workers. We develop a simple model relating the level of the minimum wage to the setting regime. Next, we exploit a new data set on minimum wages in 68 countries having a statutory national minimum level of pay in the period 1981-2005. We find that a Government legislated minimum wage is lower than a wage floor set within collective agreements. This effect survives to several robustness checks and can be interpreted as a causal effect of the setting regime on the level of the minimum wage." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Dolton, Peter & Chiara Rosazza-Bondibene (2012): The international experience of minimum wages in an economic downturn. In: Economic policy, Jg. 27, H. 69, S. 99-142. DOI:10.1111/j.1468-0327.2011.00278.x

Abstract

"What should governments do with the level of the minimum wage (MW) in times of recession? In an economic downturn when most workers face falling real wages is it appropriate to let the MW fall or are the positive effects of the MW on inequality enough to justify its uprating - and if so what might be the consequences on a country's employment level? This paper reports new estimates of the employment effects of the MW by focusing on the recessionary experiences across countries. Using international data we exploit: cross-national variation in the level and timing of the MW uprating and the exact timing of the recessionary experiences in different countries with a panel data set comprising 33 OECD over the period 1971 - 2009. Our panel data allow us to differentiate the effect of MWs on employment in periods of economic downturn as well as periods of economic growth. We also account for institutional and other policy related differences that might have an impact on employment other than the MW. We find that the answer depends on whether one considers adults or young people, and to some extent, on what measure of the MW is considered. The answer is also somewhat sensitive to whether one considers that the MW level is a choice option of the government which is inextricably interrelated to the determination of employment - that is, the extent to which the MW is endogenous. Using a 'political complexion of the government' instrumental variable (IV) we find that the MW only has a negative impact on youth employment. This leaves each government with the dilemma of raising the MW and reducing inequality or increasing the MW and accepting that this will reduce employment levels amongst young people and those on the margins of work." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Handel, Michael J. (2012): Trends in job skill demands in OECD countries. (OECD social, employment and migration working papers 143), Paris, 119 S. DOI:10.1787/5k8zk8pcq6td-en

Abstract

"This report examines skill trends in 24 OECD countries over the past several decades. The skill measures used include broad occupation groups, country-specific direct measures of skill requirements from international surveys, and direct skill measures from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) database applied to both United States and European labour force surveys. Each kind of data has its own strengths and limitations but they tell a consistent story." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Schmitt, John (2012): Low-wage lessons. Washington, DC, 13 S.

Abstract

"Over the last two decades, high - and, in some countries, rising - rates of low-wage work have emerged as a major political concern. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in 2009, about one-fourth of U.S. workers were in low-wage jobs, defined as earning less than two-thirds of the national median hourly wage. About one-fifth of workers in the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, and Germany were receiving low wages by the same definition. In all but a handful of the rich OECD countries, more than 10 percent of the workforce was in a low-wage job.
If low-wage jobs act as a stepping stone to higher-paying work, then even a relatively high share of low-wage work may not be a serious social problem. If, however, as appears to be the case in much of the wealthy world, low-wage work is a persistent and recurring state for many workers, then low-wages may contribute to broader income and wealth inequality and constitute a threat to social cohesion. This report draws five lessons on low-wage work from the recent experiences of the United States and other rich economies in the OECD." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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(2012): Vollzeitbeschäftigte mit Niedriglohn. (Arbeitsmarkt aktuell 2012,06), Berlin, 14 S.

Abstract

"Fast ein Viertel der Vollzeitbeschäftigten in Deutschland liegt mit dem Einkommen unter der offiziellen Niedriglohnschwelle von 1800 Euro. In nur zehn Jahren stieg der Anteil der Niedriglöhner von 19 auf 23 Prozent, die Kluft zwischen hohen und niedrigen Einkommen in Deutschland wächst.
Die (noch) positive Entwicklung auf dem Arbeitsmarkt wird von einer wachsenden Ungleichheit bei den Einkommen überschattet. Die Kluft zwischen hohen und niedrigen Einkommen wird immer größer. Mini-Jobs und Leiharbeit, Tarifflucht und Hartz-Gesetze haben zu steigenden Lohnunterschieden geführt. Erst jüngst hat das Statistische Bundesamt darauf hingewiesen, dass 2010 rd. die Hälfte der atypisch Beschäftigten zu den Niedriglohnbeziehern zählen. Abweichend von der Herangehensweise soll hier die Niedriglohnbeschäftigung von Vollzeitbeschäftigten analysiert werden. Dabei zeigt sich auch hier der längerfristige Trend eines Aufstiegs. Auch bei Vollzeitbeschäftigten sind Niedriglöhne auf dem Vormarsch und ist die Lohnungleichheit deutlich gestiegen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Léné, Alexandre (2011): Occupational downgrading and bumping down: The combined effects of education and experience. In: Labour economics, Jg. 18, H. 2, S. 257-269. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2010.11.007

Abstract

"Job competition between workers has important implications for 'downgrading' and 'bumping down'. To account for these phenomena, a matching model is considered in which highly educated and poorly educated workers compete for skilled jobs. An exogenous increase in the proportion of highly skilled workers increases the proportion of these workers in low-level jobs (downgrading). Another of the paper's findings is that changes in the composition of the workforce affect workers' opportunities to accumulate experience. An increase in the relative supply of highly educated workers reduces the opportunities for poorly educated workers to learn on the job. Both education and experience are required in order to access skilled jobs." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

In den meisten OECD-Ländern hat die Einkommensungleichheit in den letzten Jahren zugenommen; Ausnahmen sind nur wenige Länder wie Chile, Mexiko oder die Türkei. Seit den 1980er Jahren hat sich in Ländern, die bisher bereits eine hohe Einkommensungleichheit aufwiesen (z.B. USA und Israel) die Einkommenslücke nochmals deutlich erweitert. Allerdings sind auch Länder mit traditionell geringer Einkommensungleichheit wie Dänemark, Schweden und Deutschland nicht länger vor wachsender Einkommensungleichheit bewahrt geblieben. Die Ungleichheit hat in diesen Ländern sogar am stärksten zugenommen. Zu den wichtigsten Gründen der wachsenden Einkommensungleichheit rechnet die OECD vor allem die nachlassende Wirkung steuer- und sozialpolitischer Mittel. In einigen Ländern nahm im letzten Jahrzehnt die redistributive Wirkung von Steuern und Sozialausgaben sogar ab. Auch durch Eheschließung zwischen Personen mit hohen und niedrigen Einkommen werden Einkommensungleichheiten nicht eingeebnet. Hier wird der gegenteilige Trend beobachtet, nämlich dass jeweils eher Personen im selben Berufs- und Einkommensbereich Familien gründen. Als Maßnahmen zum Abbau der Einkommensungleichheiten werden Reformen der Umverteilungspolitik empfohlen, Maßnahmen zur beruflichen Integration, Abbau des hohen Anteils der Niedriglohnbeschäftigung und der atypischer Beschäftigung sowie die Erhöhung der Bildungsbeteiligung. (IAB)

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Addison, John T. & Orgul Demet Ozturk (2010): Minimum wages, labor market institutions, and female employment and unemployment. A cross-country analysis. (IZA discussion paper 5162), Bonn, 32 S.

Abstract

"This paper estimates the effect of minimum wage regulation in 16 OECD countries, 1970-2008. Our treatment is motivated by Neumark and Wascher's (2004) seminal cross-country study using panel methods to estimate minimum wage effects among teenagers and young adults. Apart from the longer time interval examined here, a major departure of the present study is the focus on prime-age females, a group typically neglected in the component minimum wage literature. Another is our deployment of time-varying policy and institutional regressors. Yet another is our examination of unemployment and participation outcomes in addition to employment effects. We report strong evidence of adverse employment effects among adult females and lower participation, even if the unemployment effects are muted. Although we report some similar findings to Neumark and Wascher as to the role of labor market institutions and policies, we do not observe the same patterns in the institutional data; in particular, we can reject for our target group their finding of stronger disemployment effects in countries with the least regulated markets." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Jütting, Johannes, Angela Luci & Christian Morrison (2010): Why do so many women end up in bad jobs? A cross-country assessment. (OECD Development Centre working papers 287), Paris, 50 S. DOI:10.1787/5kmlhlrz6br0-en

Abstract

"There is an increasing concern in the development community about the increase in the 'feminisation of bad jobs' of many developing countries. Indeed, recent analysis shows a growing proportion of women are in jobs with poor working conditions and low pay. But what is driving this phenomenon? This paper addresses this issue by looking at the role of social institutions, i.e. traditions, social norms and informal laws, in shaping labour market outcomes. By applying the newly established Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) of the OECD on 44 developing countries, the paper finds that social institutions influence to a great extent activity patterns and job quality for women. Our results suggest that addressing discriminating social institutions is crucial for advancing gender equality." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Melnik, Ekaterina, Martine Möbus, Noemie Olympio & Remi Trehin-Lalanne (2010): Les eleves sans qualification. La France et les pays de l'OCDE. Rapport pour le Haut Conseil de l'Education. Paris, 169 S.

Abstract

"Cette synthèse comparative et européenne fait le point sur les élèves qui sortent du système scolaire sans qualification en France, en Allemagne et au Royaume-Uni. Les auteurs analysent le contenu et la portée du 'benckmark' européen concernant les jeunes sortis précocement du système puis exposent pour les trois pays en question les caractéristiques des jeunes sans qualification et leur devenir sur le marché du travail. Enfin sont examinés les dispositifs d'action publique qui s'efforcent de remédier aux difficultés rencontrées par ces jeunes." (Resume d'auteur, IAB-Doku) ((fr))

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Oesch, Daniel (2010): What explains high unemployment among low-skilled workers? Evidence from 21 OECD countries. In: European journal of industrial relations, Jg. 16, H. 1, S. 39-55. DOI:10.1177/0959680109355307

Abstract

"In OECD countries, unemployment disproportionately affects low-skilled workers. This article examines four explanations: wage-setting institutions, employment regulation, globalization and monetary policy. The analysis is based on pooled regressions for 21 affluent countries over the period 1991 -- 2006. We find no support for the argument that low-skilled workers' employment prospects are hindered by legal minimum wages or strict employment protection, nor that wage inequality improves low-skilled employment. By contrast, investment in active labour market policies pays off and low real interest rates are associated with significantly less low-skilled unemployment. Hence, low-skilled workers' job prospects seem enhanced by a combination of active labour market programmes with monetary policy that fully exploits the economy's growth potential." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Immervoll, Herwig (2009): Minimum-income benefits in OECD countries. Policy design, effectiveness and challenges. (IZA discussion paper 4627), Bonn, 52 S.

Abstract

"Almost all OECD countries operate comprehensive minimum-income programmes for working-age individuals, either as last-resort safety nets alongside primary income replacement benefits, or as the principal instrument for delivering social protection. Such safety-net benefits aim primarily at providing an acceptable standard of living for families unable to earn sufficient incomes from other sources. This paper provides an overview of social assistance and other minimum-income programmes in OECD countries, summarises their main features, and highlights a number of current policy challenges." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Immervoll, Herwig & Mark Pearson (2009): A good time for making work pay? Taking stock of in-work benefits and related measures across the OECD. (OECD social, employment and migration working papers 81), Paris, 59 S. DOI:10.1787/225442803245

Abstract

"The twin problem of in-work poverty and persistent labour market difficulties of low-skilled individuals has been one of the most important drivers of tax-benefit policy reforms in OECD countries in recent years. Employment-conditional cash transfers to individuals facing particular labour-market challenges have been a core element of 'make-work-pay' policies for some time and are now in use in more than half of the OECD countries. They are attractive because they redistribute to low-income groups while also creating additional work incentives. But like all social benefits, they have to be financed, which creates additional economic costs for some. This paper discusses the rationale for in-work benefits (IWB), summarises the main design features of programmes operated in OECD countries, and provides an update of what is known about their effectiveness in terms of reducing inequalities and creating employment. As policies aiming to promote self-sufficiency, wage subsidies and minimum wages share a number of the objectives associated with IWB measures. We review evidence on the effectiveness of minimum wages and wage subsidies and discuss links between these policies and IWBs. Finally, we outline some potential consequences of weakening labour markets for the effectiveness of make-work-pay policies." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Jacques, Jean-Francois & Emmanuelle Walkowiak (2009): Low wages and high unemployment rates: The role of social interactions in hiring discrimination. In: The Journal of Socio-Economics, Jg. 38, H. 3, S. 456-463. DOI:10.1016/j.socec.2008.12.008

Abstract

"The purpose of this paper is to explain why low-wage workers with identical qualifications to higher-wage workers are more exposed to unemployment. Each worker is considered to belong to a social group (defined according to his/her gender, age, and nationality). We assume that workers experience both productive interdependencies and social interactions within the firm. Also inter- and intra-group interactions determine worker productivity, and frictions on the labor market limit the hiring of the most productive workers. Consequently, externalities acting both within the firm and in the labor market can lead to a higher rate of unemployment for low-wage workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Larch, Mario & Wolfgang Lechthaler (2009): Comparative advantage and skill-specific unemployment. (CESifo working paper 2754), München, 49 S.

Abstract

"We introduce unemployment and endogenous selection of workers into different skill-classes in a trade model with two sectors and heterogeneous firms. This allows us to study the distributional consequences and the skill-specific unemployment effects of trade liberalization. We show that the gains from trade will be distributed very unequally. While unskilled workers loose in terms of real wages and employment levels in the skilled labor intensive sector, skilled workers loose in terms of real wages and unemployment levels in the unskilled labor intensive sector. However, the inequality of workers between sectors is much larger for skilled labor than for unskilled labor. On average, unemployment among unskilled workers increases when a skill-abundant country opens up to trade." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Aghion, Philippe, Yann Algan & Pierre Cahuc (2008): Can policy interact with culture? Minimum wage and the quality of labor relations. (IZA discussion paper 3680), Bonn, 69 S.

Abstract

"Can public policy interfere with culture, such as beliefs and norms of cooperation? We investigate his question by evaluating the interactions between the State and the Civil Society, focusing on the labor market. International data shows a negative correlation between union density and the quality of labor relations on one hand, and state regulation of the minimum wage on the other hand. To explain this relation, we develop a model of learning of the quality of labor relations. State regulation crowds out the possibility for workers to experiment negotiation and learn about the true cooperative nature of participants in the labor market. This crowding out effect can give rise to multiple equilibria: a 'good' equilibrium characterized by strong beliefs in cooperation, leading to high union density and low state regulation; and a 'bad' equilibrium, characterized by distrustful labor relations, low union density and strong state regulation of the minimum wage. We then use surveys on social attitudes and unionization behavior to document the relation between minimum wage legislation and the beliefs about the scope of cooperation in the labor market." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Immervoll, Herwig (2007): Minimum wages, minimum labour costs and the tax treatment of low-wage employment. (IZA discussion paper 2555), Bonn, 20 S.

Abstract

Bei internationalen Vergleichen von Mindestlöhnen steht meistens die Höhe der Bruttolöhne im Mittelpunkt und die Auswirkungen der Besteuerung sowohl der Arbeitskosten als auch des Einkommens werden ignoriert. Der Beitrag hingegen konzentriert sich auf die Steuerlast, mit der Arbeitskräfte mit Mindestlohn konfrontiert sind. Die Entwicklung der Nettoeinkommen und der Arbeitskosten im Zeitraum zwischen 2000 und 2005 sowie die Bedeutung von Mindestlohnanpassung und Steuerreformen werden nachgezeichnet. In 21 OECD-Ländern gibt es gesetzliche Mindestlöhne zwischen 0,7 USD und 10 USD pro Stunde. In einigen Ländern wurden die Mindestlöhne in den letzten Jahren angehoben. Da jedoch auch bei Niedriglöhnen eine nicht unerhebliche Besteuerung stattfindet, haben einkommenssteuerliche Maßnahmen beträchtliche Auswirkungen auf das verfügbare Nettoeinkommen von Arbeitskräften mit Mindestlöhnen. Durch Sozialabgaben und Steuern steigen die Kosten der Beschäftigung von Mindestlohn-Arbeitskräften um 15 Prozent. Trotz Senkung der nicht lohnbezogenen Arbeitskosten in einigen Ländern ist keine Konvergenz der Mindestlohnkosten zu beobachten. Das Arbeitspapier wird als Kapitel der Ausgabe 2007 der OECD-Publikation 'Taxing Wages' erscheinen und dann Ergebnisse bis 2006 präsentieren. (IAB)

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Neumark, David & William L. Wascher (2007): Minimum wages and employment. (Foundations and trends in microeconomics 03/1-2), Hanover u.a.: Now Publishers, 200 S. DOI:10.1561/0700000015

Abstract

"We review the burgeoning literature on the employment effects of minimum wages - in the United States and in other countries - that was spurred by the new minimum wage research beginning in the early 1990s. Our review indicates that there is a wide range of existing estimates and, accordingly, a lack of consensus about the overall effects on low-wage employment of an increase in the minimum wage. However, the oft-stated assertion that recent research fails to support the conclusion that the minimum wage reduces employment of low-skilled workers is clearly incorrect. A sizable majority of the studies surveyed in this monograph give a relatively consistent (although not always statistically significant) indication of negative employment effects of minimum wages. In addition, among the papers we view as providing the most credible evidence, almost all point to negative employment effects, both for the United States as well as for many other countries. Two other important conclusions emerge from our review. First, we see very few - if any - studies that provide convincing evidence of positive employment effects of minimum wages, especially from those studies that focus on the broader groups (rather than a narrow industry) for which the competitive model generally predicts disemployment effects. Second, the studies that focus on the least-skilled groups that are likely most directly affected by minimum wage increases provide relatively overwhelming evidence of stronger disemployment effects for these groups." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Rukwid, Ralf (2007): Arbeitslosigkeit und Lohnspreizung: Empirische Befunde zur Arbeitsmarktsituation gering Qualifizierter in Deutschland. (Schriftenreihe des Promotionsschwerpunkts Globalisierung und Beschäftigung 24), Hohenheim, 52 S.

Abstract

"In den Industriestaaten stehen die weniger qualifizierten Arbeitskräfte derzeit unter einem erheblichen Anpassungsdruck. Die Nachfragestruktur auf dem Arbeitsmarkt hat sich in den letzten Jahrzehnten zuungunsten der formal Ungelernten verschoben, wobei als die Hauptursachen dieser Entwicklung die Globalisierung sowie ein qualifikationsverzerrter technischer Fortschritt gelten. Ziel des Diskussionspapiers ist eine detaillierte Analyse der Arbeitsmarktsituation gering Qualifizierter in Deutschland. Es wird gezeigt, dass sich die Beschäftigungschancen für Erwerbspersonen ohne abgeschlossene Berufsausbildung seit Mitte der 1970er Jahre systematisch und gegenüber den höher Qualifizierten überproportional verschlechtert haben. Dabei übertrifft die aktuelle gruppenspezifische Arbeitslosenquote der Ungelernten in Deutschland diejenige fast aller anderen OECD-Staaten. Dies wird häufig als Beleg für eine im Ländervergleich außerordentliche Problemlage gewertet und mit inflexiblen Lohnstrukturen in direkten Zusammenhang gebracht. Der Beitrag soll mit Hilfe einer empirischen Analyse von deutschen, amerikanischen und britischen Lohndaten auf Basis des Cross National Equivalent File (CNEF) Aufschlüsse über den tatsächlichen Grad der Flexibilität der deutschen Lohnstruktur geben. Hierbei werden landesspezifische Entwicklungstendenzen bei der Lohnverteilung beschrieben und der jeweilige Umfang an Lohnspreizung geschätzt. Zudem wird mittels Berechnung von Subgruppendisparitäten und der Durchführung von Dekompositionsverfahren der Zusammenhang zwischen Lohnungleichheit und formaler Qualifikation untersucht. Vor dem Hintergrund dieser Analyseergebnisse sowie alternativer Studien erfolgt schließlich eine Einordnung der verschiedenen Politikansätze zur Verbesserung der Beschäftigungssituation gering Qualifizierter. Im Mittelpunkt der wirtschaftspolitischen Diskussion in Deutschland stehen neben Qualifizierungsstrategien vor allem Vorschläge einer stärkeren Lohndifferenzierung speziell im unteren Einkommensbereich. Eine simple monokausale Beziehung zwischen Lohnspreizung und der Intensität der Beschäftigungsprobleme gering qualifizierter Arbeitskräfte lässt sich anhand der in dem Beitrag präsentierten empirischen Befunde allerdings nicht nachweisen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Tiltag, Andreas (2007): Der Traum vom Mindestlohn. Ein Ländervergleich. (IAAEG discussion paper 2007,02), Trier, 29 S.

Abstract

"Ein gesetzlicher Mindestlohn erzeugt Träume. Positiv sieht er so aus: jede arbeitende Person verdient genug, um aus eigener Kraft einen angemessenen Lebensstandard zu erreichen. Negativ so: Arbeitskräfte, deren Produktivität unterhalb des Mindestlohnes liegt, werden arbeitslos. Die zentrale Frage des Papiers ist die Schlüssigkeit folgenden Arguments: 'Großbritannien hat einen Mindestlohn und keine hohe Arbeitslosigkeit.' Unberücksichtigt in dieser Aussage bleibt der Einfluss anderer Arbeitsmarktinstitutionen auf die Arbeitslosigkeit. Es sollen daher Muster, die hoher und niedriger Arbeitslosigkeit zu Grunde liegen, aufgedeckt werden. Die empirische Grundlage bildet ein Ländervergleich unter Verwendung von Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Es zeigt sich, dass ein Mindestlohn nur im Zusammenhang mit anderen Regelungen auf dem Arbeitsmarkt zutreffend beurteilt werden kann." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Waltman, Jerold & Christopher Marsh (2007): Minimum wages and social welfare expenditures. Substitutes or complements? In: Policy Studies, Jg. 28, H. 2, S. 163-174. DOI:10.1080/01442870701312092

Abstract

"Are minimum wage policies substitutes for or complements to expenditure oriented social welfare policies? We address this research question from a cross national perspective through the utilization of OECD data. We find that countries with high levels of expenditure on traditional social welfare policies are decidedly less likely to have any type of minimum wage policy than lower spending nations. However, we also find that there is a strong correlation between the level of the minimum wage and the percentage of GDP spent on social welfare among countries that have minimum wage policies." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Ellison, Nick (2006): The transformation of welfare states? London u.a.: Routledge, 223 S.

Abstract

"This accessible work provides a 'political sociology' of welfare states in industrial societies, with both historical and contemporary perspectives. Ellison focuses on the social and political underpinnings of a number of welfare regimes and looks at the transformations they have undergone and the challenges they face. This book assesses current debates about the role of 'globalization' in welfare state change, paying particular attention to contemporary views about the capacity of embedded institutional structures to limit the effects of global economic pressures. Ellison assesses the changing nature of social policies in nine OECD countries - selected to include 'liberal, 'social democratic' and 'continental' welfare regimes. Taking labour market and pension policies as the main areas of investigation, this volume provides 'snapshots' of welfare reform in each case, charting the ways in which different regimes 'manage' the range of challenges with which they are confronted. Ultimately, the book suggests that all contemporary welfare regimes are experiencing a level of 'neoliberal drift'. As yet, this trend towards liberalization remains constrained in those countries with more 'coordinated' economies and institutionalized forms of social partnership - but the question is for how long?" (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Kaltenborn, Bruno & Petra Knerr (2006): Arbeitsanreize im Niedriglohnbereich - ein ausgewählter internationaler Vergleich. Gutachten. (Beiträge zur Wirtschaftsforschung und Politikberatung 30), Berlin, 232 S.

Abstract

"In Deutschland werden ebenso wie in anderen westlichen Industrieländern Strategien zur Ausweitung der als unzureichend erachteten Beschäftigung von Personen mit geringem Verdienstpotenzial diskutiert. Eine Beschäftigung setzt insbesondere ein entsprechendes Arbeitsangebot eines Arbeitnehmers, eine dazu passende Arbeitsnachfrage eines Unternehmens und die Kenntnis beider voneinander voraus. Entsprechend gibt es mehrere Ansatzpunkte für Strategien zur Ausweitung der Beschäftigung. Derartige Strategien werden unter anderem für den Niedriglohnbereich diskutiert und auch bereits verfolgt. Die Strategien lassen sich einerseits nach ihrem Ansatzpunkt (Arbeitsangebot von Arbeitnehmern, Arbeitsnachfrage von Unternehmen sowie Matching von Arbeitsangebot und -nachfrage) und andererseits nach der Leistungsart (Geldleistungen, Sach- und Dienstleistungen, Rahmenbedingungen) klassifizieren.
Die nähere Betrachtung erfolgt unter zwei Gesichtspunkten:
- Einerseits erfolgt eine detaillierte Betrachtung einzelner ausländischer Steuer-Transfer- Systeme, um Gestaltungsoptionen aufzuzeigen (Kapitel 2). Dies ist angesichts des Aufwandes nur für einzelne Länder möglich. Für die notwendigen Details der jeweiligen Steuer-Transfer-Systeme am aktuellen Rand ist in der Regel eine Auswertung nationaler Quellen in der jeweiligen Landessprache erforderlich. Insgesamt wurden hierfür fünf Staaten ausgewählt (Italien, Frankreich, Großbritannien, Irland und die USA).
- Andererseits ist das Resultat des komplexen Zusammenspiels der Steuer-Transfer- Systeme unterschiedlicher Länder hinsichtlich der Anreize im Niedriglohnbereich von Interesse (Kapitel 3). Für eine derartige Betrachtung ist ebenfalls eine detaillierte Auswertung der jeweiligen Steuer-Transfer-Systeme erforderlich. Da hier auf Vorarbeiten der OECD zurückgegriffen werden kann, können über die fünf bereits in Kapitel 2 betrachteten Staaten hinaus weitere in die Analyse einbezogen werden. Insgesamt werden 15 westliche Industrieländer berücksichtigt." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Levy, Frank, Richard J. Murnane & Alan S. Blinder (2006): What sorts of rich-country jobs (and how many) are at risk to globalisation? In: CESifo forum, Jg. 7, H. 2, S. 38-40.

Abstract

Der Beitrag gibt zwei Auffassungen zur Frage, welche Arbeitsplätze durch Offshoring betroffen sind, wider. Die Autoren des ersten Beitrags (Frank Levy und Richard J. Murnane: For now, middle-skilled jobs are the most vulnerable) postulieren zwei Bedingungen, die für die Auslagerung von Arbeitsplätzen ins Ausland erfüllt sein müssen: Zum einen muss die Erbringung der Leistung ortsunabhängig sein, und zum anderen muss gewährleistet sein, dass relevante Informationen zwischen Auftraggeber und Auftragnehmer ohne Missverständnisse ausgetauscht werden können. Das zweite Kriterium wird als entscheidend erachtet für die Auslagerung vieler Arbeitsplätze mittlerer Qualifikation ins Ausland: Viele Tätigkeiten mittlerer Qualifikation sind repetitiv und regelbasiert (und damit Kandidaten für Automatisierung). Sowohl durch die genormte Arbeitsgestaltung, die klare Schnittstellen mit sich bringt, als auch aufgrund infomationstechnischer Voraussetzungen sind sie leicht auszulagern. Auf diese Auffassung bezieht sich der zweite Beitrag (Alan S. Blinder: Activities that do not require physical contact or georgraphical proximity are most at risk). Der Autor weist darauf hin, dass sich die Mengen der potentiell automatisierbaren Stellen und der potentiell ins Ausland verlagerbaren Stellen zwar nicht vollständig, aber in hohem Maße überscheiden: Jede routinisierte Tätigkeit, die weder physischen Kontakt noch geographische Nähe erfordert, ist ein Kandidat für Offshoring. Für die Industrieländer geht der Autor von sinkenden Löhnen für nicht-personenbezogene Dienstleistungen und von steigenden Löhnen für personenbezogen Dienstleistungen aus. (IAB)

Zitatform

Sinn, Hans-Werner (2006): Migration and social replacement incomes. How to protect low-income workers in the industrialized countries against the forces of globalization and market integration. (Munich economics. Electronic reprint 2006-02), München, 20 S.

Abstract

"This paper discusses how an industrialized country could defend the living standard of its unskilled workers against the wage competition from immigrants. It shows that fixing social replacement incomes implies migration into unemployment. Defending wages with replacement incomes brings about first order efficiency losses that approximate the budget cost of the government. By contrast, wage subsidies involve much smaller welfare losses. While the exclusion of migrants from a national wage replacement program does not avoid the distortions in labor migration, the (temporary) exclusion of migrants from a national wage subsidy program makes it possible to reach the first best migration pattern despite the preservation of the welfare state." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Strauss-Kahn, Vanessa (2005): Firms' location decision across asymmetric countries and employment inequality. In: European Economic Review, Jg. 49, H. 2, S. 299-320. DOI:10.1016/j.euroecorev.2003.12.008

Abstract

"This paper analyzes the effect of globalization (lower trade costs) on production and trade patterns if, firms are vertically linked, stages of production differ in labor-factors intensity and countries differ in labor-factors prices. In order to reflect the 'Continental Europe' experience, relative wages are assumed fixed and spatial changes in production are translated into changes in relative (skilled to unskilled) employment levels. The asymmetry in factors prices across countries results in a unique agglomeration equilibrium for a broad range of trade costs. At low trade costs, firms' location depends on production costs-vertical specialization occurs. This paper also provides a consistent explanation of the observed increase in employment inequality between skilled and unskilled workers in relatively high-unskilled wage countries." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

"The book reports on a project directed jointly by the OECD and Canadian Policy Research Networks on young adults with low levels of education in 25 OECD countries and the conditions that hinder or assist their transition from education to work. Social class, ethnicity and gender influence chances for economic and social success: but increasingly, they do so by affecting access to and success in education. The rise of information and communication technologies, the global marketplace, and greater personal responsibility and autonomy in all aspects of life, have made knowledge and skills essential to economic success. Young people with low qualifications run a higher risk of long-term unemployment, or unstable and unfulfilling jobs. From Education to Work calls for early intervention to reduce the risk of young people leaving school early and recommends that policy responses be tailored, among other things, to the characteristics of national labour markets." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

(2005): Combating poverty and exclusion through work. (Policy brief / OECD), 8 S.

Abstract

"All OECD governments attach importance to combating poverty and exclusion. Poverty and exclusion are evidence of a society that wastes human resources, opportunities and life-chances, both now and for the future. Traditionally, governments have tried to minimise the consequences of poverty and exclusion through 'passive' income support for those in need. However, people who are very dependent on such benefits are badly served by systems that often are not generous enough to provide adequate income and, at worst, make it more difficult for recipients and their families to escape poverty on a lasting basis. Experience over the past decade has shown that 'active' social policies can change this perspective and help achieve lasting reductions in poverty and exclusion. 'Active' policies go beyond providing cash benefits to alleviate poverty to focus on helping benefit recipients support themselves and their families. Another key element has been reforms of benefit systems to remove disincentives to work." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Miegel, Meinhard & Stefanie Wahl (1996): Erwerbstätigkeit und Arbeitslosigkeit in Deutschland. Entwicklung, Ursachen und Maßnahmen. Teil 1: Entwicklung von Erwerbstätigkeit und Arbeitslosigkeit in Deutschland und anderen frühindustrialisierten Ländern. Bonn, 153 S.

Abstract

Der Band befaßt sich mit der Entwicklung und Struktur des Erwerbsfähigen- und Erwerbspersonenanteils und der Erwerbstätigkeit in der OECD, der EU, in West- und Ostdeutschland sowie speziell in Bayern und Sachsen. Auch die Entwicklung der Arbeitslosigkeit wird nach den gleichen regionalen Strukturen untersucht. Die Autoren kommen zu dem folgenden Schluß: "Um das ganze Problem zu erfassen, muß sowohl den tiefgreifenden Veränderungen auf seiten des Arbeitskräfteangebots als auch auf seiten der Arbeitskräftenachfrage Rechnung getragen werden. Auf seiten des Arbeitskräfteangebots sind Sicht- und Verhaltensweisen sowie Befähigungen, Prägungen und Orientierungen der Erwerbsbevölkerung zu berücksichtigen. Entsprechendes gilt für die Arbeitskräftenachfrage. Diese hat durch die teilweise Umgestaltung des Produktionsprozesses, vor allem durch dessen Globalisierung, einen nachhaltigen Wandel erfahren." (IAB2)