Pending Issues in Protection, Productivity Growth, and Poverty Reduction

This paper selectively synthesizes much of the research on Latin American and Caribbean labor markets in recent years. Several themes emerge that are particularly relevant to ongoing policy dialogues. First, labor legislation matters, but markets may be less segmented than previously thought. The im...

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Main Authors: Arias, Omar, Blom, Andreas, Bosch, Mariano, Cunningham, Wendy, Fiszbein, Ariel, Lopez Acevedo, Gladys, Maloney, William, Saavedra, Jaime, Sanchez-Paramo, Carolina, Santamaria, Mauricio, Siga, Lucas
Format: Policy Research Working Paper
Language:English
Published: World Bank, Washington, DC 2012
Subjects:
GDP
Online Access:http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2005/12/6479817/pending-issues-protection-productivity-growth-poverty-reduction
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/8551
id okr-10986-8551
recordtype oai_dc
repository_type Digital Repository
institution_category Foreign Institution
institution Digital Repositories
building World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
collection World Bank
language English
topic ACTIVE LABOR
ACTIVE LABOR MARKET
ACTIVE LABOR MARKET POLICIES
ADJUSTMENT PROCESS
ADVERSE IMPACTS
AGED WORKERS
AGGREGATE EMPLOYMENT
AVERAGE PRODUCTIVITY
CAREERS
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
COMPETITIVENESS
DECISION MAKING
DISCOURAGED WORKERS
DISCUSSIONS
DISMISSAL
DISMISSALS
ECONOMIC GROWTH
ECONOMIC INSECURITY
ECONOMIC SITUATION
ECONOMIES OF SCALE
ELASTICITY
EMPLOYEE
EMPLOYMENT CREATION
EMPLOYMENT EFFECTS
EMPLOYMENT GROWTH
EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION LEGISLATION
EMPLOYMENT RATE
EXPORTS
FIRING
FIRING COST
FIRING COSTS
FIRING RESTRICTIONS
FIRM LEVEL
FOREIGN COMPETITION
GDP
HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT
HIRING
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS
HUMAN CAPITAL
HUMAN RESOURCES
INCOME DISTRIBUTION
INCOME SECURITY
INDIGENOUS WORKERS
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
INFLATION RATES
INFORMAL EMPLOYMENT
INFORMAL LABOR MARKET
INFORMAL SECTOR
INFORMAL SECTOR WORKERS
JOB CREATION
JOB DESTRUCTION
JOB SEARCH
JOB TRAINING
JOBLESS GROWTH
JOBS
LABOR CODES
LABOR CONTRACT
LABOR FORCE
LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION
LABOR LEGISLATION
LABOR MARKET
LABOR MARKET INDICATORS
LABOR MARKET INSTITUTIONS
LABOR MARKET OUTCOMES
LABOR MARKET POLICY
LABOR MARKET RIGIDITIES
LABOR MARKETS
LABOR ORGANIZATION
LABOR PRODUCTIVITY
LABOR REGULATION
LABOR REGULATIONS
LABOR TURNOVER
LATIN AMERICAN
LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT
MARGINAL PRODUCT
MEDICAL CARE
MINIMUM WAGE
MINIMUM WAGES
MORAL HAZARD
MORTALITY
NET EMPLOYMENT
NON-WAGE COSTS
OPEN ECONOMIES
OPPORTUNITY COST
POLITICAL ECONOMY
PRIMARY SOURCE
PRIVATE SERVICES
PRODUCTIVITY EFFECTS
PRODUCTIVITY GAINS
PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH
PRODUCTIVITY INCREASES
PRODUCTIVITY LEVELS
PROTECTING WORKERS
REAL WAGES
SAFETY NET
SAFETY NETS
SALARIED EMPLOYMENT
SALARIED WORKERS
SELF EMPLOYED
SELF EMPLOYED WORKERS
SELF EMPLOYMENT
SEVERANCE PAYMENTS
SKILL ACCUMULATION
SMALL BUSINESS
SOCIAL PROTECTION
SOCIAL SECURITY
STRUCTURAL UNEMPLOYMENT
TEMPORARY JOBS
TOTAL COSTS
TRADE LIBERALIZATION
TRADE REFORMS
TRAINING PROGRAMS
UNEMPLOYED
UNEMPLOYED WORKERS
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
UNEMPLOYMENT DURATION
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
UNEMPLOYMENT SPELLS
UNIONS
UNSKILLED WORKERS
WAGE GAINS
WAGE GAP
WAGE GROWTH
WORK IN PROGRESS
WORK · MEASUREMENT
WORKER
WORKERS
WORKING
YOUNG WORKERS
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
spellingShingle ACTIVE LABOR
ACTIVE LABOR MARKET
ACTIVE LABOR MARKET POLICIES
ADJUSTMENT PROCESS
ADVERSE IMPACTS
AGED WORKERS
AGGREGATE EMPLOYMENT
AVERAGE PRODUCTIVITY
CAREERS
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
COMPETITIVENESS
DECISION MAKING
DISCOURAGED WORKERS
DISCUSSIONS
DISMISSAL
DISMISSALS
ECONOMIC GROWTH
ECONOMIC INSECURITY
ECONOMIC SITUATION
ECONOMIES OF SCALE
ELASTICITY
EMPLOYEE
EMPLOYMENT CREATION
EMPLOYMENT EFFECTS
EMPLOYMENT GROWTH
EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION LEGISLATION
EMPLOYMENT RATE
EXPORTS
FIRING
FIRING COST
FIRING COSTS
FIRING RESTRICTIONS
FIRM LEVEL
FOREIGN COMPETITION
GDP
HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT
HIRING
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS
HUMAN CAPITAL
HUMAN RESOURCES
INCOME DISTRIBUTION
INCOME SECURITY
INDIGENOUS WORKERS
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
INFLATION RATES
INFORMAL EMPLOYMENT
INFORMAL LABOR MARKET
INFORMAL SECTOR
INFORMAL SECTOR WORKERS
JOB CREATION
JOB DESTRUCTION
JOB SEARCH
JOB TRAINING
JOBLESS GROWTH
JOBS
LABOR CODES
LABOR CONTRACT
LABOR FORCE
LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION
LABOR LEGISLATION
LABOR MARKET
LABOR MARKET INDICATORS
LABOR MARKET INSTITUTIONS
LABOR MARKET OUTCOMES
LABOR MARKET POLICY
LABOR MARKET RIGIDITIES
LABOR MARKETS
LABOR ORGANIZATION
LABOR PRODUCTIVITY
LABOR REGULATION
LABOR REGULATIONS
LABOR TURNOVER
LATIN AMERICAN
LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT
MARGINAL PRODUCT
MEDICAL CARE
MINIMUM WAGE
MINIMUM WAGES
MORAL HAZARD
MORTALITY
NET EMPLOYMENT
NON-WAGE COSTS
OPEN ECONOMIES
OPPORTUNITY COST
POLITICAL ECONOMY
PRIMARY SOURCE
PRIVATE SERVICES
PRODUCTIVITY EFFECTS
PRODUCTIVITY GAINS
PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH
PRODUCTIVITY INCREASES
PRODUCTIVITY LEVELS
PROTECTING WORKERS
REAL WAGES
SAFETY NET
SAFETY NETS
SALARIED EMPLOYMENT
SALARIED WORKERS
SELF EMPLOYED
SELF EMPLOYED WORKERS
SELF EMPLOYMENT
SEVERANCE PAYMENTS
SKILL ACCUMULATION
SMALL BUSINESS
SOCIAL PROTECTION
SOCIAL SECURITY
STRUCTURAL UNEMPLOYMENT
TEMPORARY JOBS
TOTAL COSTS
TRADE LIBERALIZATION
TRADE REFORMS
TRAINING PROGRAMS
UNEMPLOYED
UNEMPLOYED WORKERS
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
UNEMPLOYMENT DURATION
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
UNEMPLOYMENT SPELLS
UNIONS
UNSKILLED WORKERS
WAGE GAINS
WAGE GAP
WAGE GROWTH
WORK IN PROGRESS
WORK · MEASUREMENT
WORKER
WORKERS
WORKING
YOUNG WORKERS
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
Arias, Omar
Blom, Andreas
Bosch, Mariano
Cunningham, Wendy
Fiszbein, Ariel
Lopez Acevedo, Gladys
Maloney, William
Saavedra, Jaime
Sanchez-Paramo, Carolina
Santamaria, Mauricio
Siga, Lucas
Pending Issues in Protection, Productivity Growth, and Poverty Reduction
geographic_facet Latin America & Caribbean
relation Policy Research Working Paper; No. 3799
description This paper selectively synthesizes much of the research on Latin American and Caribbean labor markets in recent years. Several themes emerge that are particularly relevant to ongoing policy dialogues. First, labor legislation matters, but markets may be less segmented than previously thought. The impetus to voluntary informality, which appears to be a substantial fraction of the sector, implies that the design of social safety nets and labor legislation needs to take a more integrated view of the labor market, taking into account the cost-benefit analysis workers and firms make about whether to interact with formal institutions. Second, the impact of labor market institutions on productivity growth has probably been underemphasized. Draconian firing restrictions increase litigation and uncertainty surrounding worker separations, reduce turnover and job creation, and poorly protect workers. But theory and anecdotal evidence also suggest that they, and other related state or union induced rigidities, may have an even greater disincentive effect on technological adoption, which accounts for half of economic growth. Finally, institutions can affect poverty and equity, although the effects seem generally small and channels are not always clear. Overall, the present constellation of labor regulations serves workers and firms poorly and both could benefit from substantial reform.
format Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper
author Arias, Omar
Blom, Andreas
Bosch, Mariano
Cunningham, Wendy
Fiszbein, Ariel
Lopez Acevedo, Gladys
Maloney, William
Saavedra, Jaime
Sanchez-Paramo, Carolina
Santamaria, Mauricio
Siga, Lucas
author_facet Arias, Omar
Blom, Andreas
Bosch, Mariano
Cunningham, Wendy
Fiszbein, Ariel
Lopez Acevedo, Gladys
Maloney, William
Saavedra, Jaime
Sanchez-Paramo, Carolina
Santamaria, Mauricio
Siga, Lucas
author_sort Arias, Omar
title Pending Issues in Protection, Productivity Growth, and Poverty Reduction
title_short Pending Issues in Protection, Productivity Growth, and Poverty Reduction
title_full Pending Issues in Protection, Productivity Growth, and Poverty Reduction
title_fullStr Pending Issues in Protection, Productivity Growth, and Poverty Reduction
title_full_unstemmed Pending Issues in Protection, Productivity Growth, and Poverty Reduction
title_sort pending issues in protection, productivity growth, and poverty reduction
publisher World Bank, Washington, DC
publishDate 2012
url http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2005/12/6479817/pending-issues-protection-productivity-growth-poverty-reduction
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/8551
_version_ 1764408102786957312
spelling okr-10986-85512021-04-23T14:02:43Z Pending Issues in Protection, Productivity Growth, and Poverty Reduction Arias, Omar Blom, Andreas Bosch, Mariano Cunningham, Wendy Fiszbein, Ariel Lopez Acevedo, Gladys Maloney, William Saavedra, Jaime Sanchez-Paramo, Carolina Santamaria, Mauricio Siga, Lucas ACTIVE LABOR ACTIVE LABOR MARKET ACTIVE LABOR MARKET POLICIES ADJUSTMENT PROCESS ADVERSE IMPACTS AGED WORKERS AGGREGATE EMPLOYMENT AVERAGE PRODUCTIVITY CAREERS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COMPETITIVENESS DECISION MAKING DISCOURAGED WORKERS DISCUSSIONS DISMISSAL DISMISSALS ECONOMIC GROWTH ECONOMIC INSECURITY ECONOMIC SITUATION ECONOMIES OF SCALE ELASTICITY EMPLOYEE EMPLOYMENT CREATION EMPLOYMENT EFFECTS EMPLOYMENT GROWTH EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION LEGISLATION EMPLOYMENT RATE EXPORTS FIRING FIRING COST FIRING COSTS FIRING RESTRICTIONS FIRM LEVEL FOREIGN COMPETITION GDP HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT HIRING HOUSEHOLD INCOME HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS HUMAN CAPITAL HUMAN RESOURCES INCOME DISTRIBUTION INCOME SECURITY INDIGENOUS WORKERS INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS INFLATION RATES INFORMAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMAL LABOR MARKET INFORMAL SECTOR INFORMAL SECTOR WORKERS JOB CREATION JOB DESTRUCTION JOB SEARCH JOB TRAINING JOBLESS GROWTH JOBS LABOR CODES LABOR CONTRACT LABOR FORCE LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION LABOR LEGISLATION LABOR MARKET LABOR MARKET INDICATORS LABOR MARKET INSTITUTIONS LABOR MARKET OUTCOMES LABOR MARKET POLICY LABOR MARKET RIGIDITIES LABOR MARKETS LABOR ORGANIZATION LABOR PRODUCTIVITY LABOR REGULATION LABOR REGULATIONS LABOR TURNOVER LATIN AMERICAN LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT MARGINAL PRODUCT MEDICAL CARE MINIMUM WAGE MINIMUM WAGES MORAL HAZARD MORTALITY NET EMPLOYMENT NON-WAGE COSTS OPEN ECONOMIES OPPORTUNITY COST POLITICAL ECONOMY PRIMARY SOURCE PRIVATE SERVICES PRODUCTIVITY EFFECTS PRODUCTIVITY GAINS PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH PRODUCTIVITY INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY LEVELS PROTECTING WORKERS REAL WAGES SAFETY NET SAFETY NETS SALARIED EMPLOYMENT SALARIED WORKERS SELF EMPLOYED SELF EMPLOYED WORKERS SELF EMPLOYMENT SEVERANCE PAYMENTS SKILL ACCUMULATION SMALL BUSINESS SOCIAL PROTECTION SOCIAL SECURITY STRUCTURAL UNEMPLOYMENT TEMPORARY JOBS TOTAL COSTS TRADE LIBERALIZATION TRADE REFORMS TRAINING PROGRAMS UNEMPLOYED UNEMPLOYED WORKERS UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION UNEMPLOYMENT DURATION UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM UNEMPLOYMENT RATE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES UNEMPLOYMENT SPELLS UNIONS UNSKILLED WORKERS WAGE GAINS WAGE GAP WAGE GROWTH WORK IN PROGRESS WORK · MEASUREMENT WORKER WORKERS WORKING YOUNG WORKERS YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT This paper selectively synthesizes much of the research on Latin American and Caribbean labor markets in recent years. Several themes emerge that are particularly relevant to ongoing policy dialogues. First, labor legislation matters, but markets may be less segmented than previously thought. The impetus to voluntary informality, which appears to be a substantial fraction of the sector, implies that the design of social safety nets and labor legislation needs to take a more integrated view of the labor market, taking into account the cost-benefit analysis workers and firms make about whether to interact with formal institutions. Second, the impact of labor market institutions on productivity growth has probably been underemphasized. Draconian firing restrictions increase litigation and uncertainty surrounding worker separations, reduce turnover and job creation, and poorly protect workers. But theory and anecdotal evidence also suggest that they, and other related state or union induced rigidities, may have an even greater disincentive effect on technological adoption, which accounts for half of economic growth. Finally, institutions can affect poverty and equity, although the effects seem generally small and channels are not always clear. Overall, the present constellation of labor regulations serves workers and firms poorly and both could benefit from substantial reform. 2012-06-20T18:43:07Z 2012-06-20T18:43:07Z 2005-12 http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2005/12/6479817/pending-issues-protection-productivity-growth-poverty-reduction http://hdl.handle.net/10986/8551 English Policy Research Working Paper; No. 3799 CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/ World Bank World Bank, Washington, DC Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper Publications & Research Latin America & Caribbean