Local labour markets for foreign workers in Germany : occupational processes of change, taking as an example three ideal-typical labour market regions

Abstract

"This article examines the extent to which the structure of foreign workers in three different types of local labour market adapted to the respective structure of indigenous workers between 1980 and 1990. The Ruhr district is examined as an example of a traditional industrial region, Frankfurt as an example of a service region and Stuttgart as an example of 'high-tech production' and quality production in engineering. The report takes as a starting point the thesis that the patterns of employment of the foreign workers is gradually adapting to the demand pattern of the labour markets. Corresponding alignment processes are expected to take place more quickly in regions with a low rate of unemployment. Accordingly foreigners should be employed as skilled workers more often in Stuttgart than in the Ruhr district and more foreigners should be found in the services sector in Frankfurt. The analyses of the IAB employment sample, however, do not confirm these assumptions overall. Although a higher proportion of foreign workers can be found in services in the Frankfurt region, in Stuttgart foreign workers are employed disproportionately often as unskilled or semi-skilled workers, and in the Ruhr district on the other hand foreign workers can be found increasingly in skilled worker positions. In the Ruhr district less favourable working conditions, lower wages and less secure employment prospects even in qualified employment fields have led to them being unattractive for indigenous workers. The gaps arising in these employment fields have been filled by foreign workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Bender, S. & Seifert, W. (1998): Lokale Arbeitsmärkte für ausländische Arbeitskräfte in Deutschland. Berufliche Veränderungsprozesse am Beispiel dreier idealtypischer Arbeitsmarktregionen. In: Mitteilungen aus der Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung, Vol. 31, No. 4, p. 661-673.