The economic effects of a sector-specific minimum wage in the German waste management industry

Abstract

"This article presents a summary of the evaluation of a sector-specific minimum wage in the German waste management industry. The study consists of two parts: first, a descriptive analysis of the sector's market conditions and, second, a causal evaluation of the minimum wage's impact on economic outcomes, such as employment and working conditions. The causal analysis is based upon a firm-level survey. The empirical evidence from the survey data suggests that prior to the introduction of the minimum wage only 23 per cent of employers paid wages and 6 per cent of employees received wages below the minimum wage. Difference-in-difference estimates indicate that the minimum wage had no significant impact on employment within the first year after its introduction in January 2010. With respect to working conditions, our results provide some first weak evidence of an increase in marginal employment relationships as well as effective working time." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Gürtzgen, N., Sprietsma, M., Niefert, M. & Gottschalk, S. (2012): Auswirkungen des gesetzlichen Mindestlohnes auf die Beschäftigung und den Arbeitnehmerschutz in der Abfallwirtschaft. In: Journal for labour market research, Vol. 45, No. 3/4, p. 303-330. DOI:10.1007/s12651-012-0118-6