Under the background of accelerated integrated urban-rural development, this paper offers an analysis on the short-term employment of rural migrants in China and resulting wage gap between long-term and short-term rur...Under the background of accelerated integrated urban-rural development, this paper offers an analysis on the short-term employment of rural migrants in China and resulting wage gap between long-term and short-term rural migrants. On the basis of correcting for sample selection problems arising from labor market participation and short-term employment, rural migrants＇ wage function is estimated using quantile regression method, and wage gap between long-term and short-term rural migrants is decomposed using MM method. Our empirical results suggest that those with a higher level of education, training experience and local employment recommended by family relations or in formal labor market are more likely to secure long-term labor contract,＂ region and education have significant contributions to the wage of rural migrants,＂ rural migrants of both long- and short-term contract types have great gaps at the bottom of salary distribution; and there exists a sticky floor effect in wage difference of rural migrants. These results have important policy implications in enhancing employment stability of rural migrants, improving income distribution equity, speeding up the process of urbanization, and balancing regional development.展开更多
This paper explores the research behind the wage gap between men and women, the reasons for and extent of the gap, and strategies for dealing with gender pay discrepancies. Historically, gender discrimination was the ...This paper explores the research behind the wage gap between men and women, the reasons for and extent of the gap, and strategies for dealing with gender pay discrepancies. Historically, gender discrimination was the traditional and easy explanation for pay discrepancies, but more aggressive enforcement of equal pay legislations has virtually diminished the validity of rationalizing the existence of pay differences solely on gender. Statistical data surrounding the pay gap point to other factors as more causal instruments that sustain and perpetuate the gap in spite of more than forty years of enforcement of equal pay legislations. The choices we make seem to predict and explain current wage gaps better than blatant gender discrimination does, and policies directed at improving those choices appear to be better strategic tools in closing the wage gap.展开更多
It is generally believed in existing literature that China＇s minimum wage is too low and must be raised substantially. Such a view is highly misleading given the inconsistent statistical standards for minimum and ave...It is generally believed in existing literature that China＇s minimum wage is too low and must be raised substantially. Such a view is highly misleading given the inconsistent statistical standards for minimum and average wages. In order to ensure comparability, this paper has adjusted the statistical scope for minimum and average wages respectively. If employees of urban private and self-employed businesses are included in calculating the average wage, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will increase by about 0.06; if the minimum wage standards of various localities include personal contributions to social insurance and the housing fund, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will increase by 0.008; if overtime pay is deducted from the average wage, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will further increase by around O. 06.In addition, if the median wage is used in place of the average wage, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will increase by at least 0.08. After these adjustments, China＇s minimum-to-average wage ratio for 2013 will increase from 0.28 to 0.49, which is within the range of between 0.40 and 0.60 that is recognized internationally as reasonable. Our analysis suggests that as far as the immediate interests of workers are concerned, it is more imperative to unify the statistical approaches for minimum and average wages in China than to raise the minimum wage standard. In order to achieve the expected effect, simply raising the minimum wage alone is not enough. What is also necessary is to enhance supervision and inspection on compliance by firms with the minimum wage policy, particularly the overtime pay regulations. An alternative is to replace monthly minimum wage with hourly minimum wage.展开更多
During the past decades, the transformation of the labor market has significantly impacted on workers＇ wage structures and their employment in China. Along with the widening wage gaps and the growing income inequalit...During the past decades, the transformation of the labor market has significantly impacted on workers＇ wage structures and their employment in China. Along with the widening wage gaps and the growing income inequalities, the size of non-standard jobs expanded rapidly in China＇s urban labor market. As a result of this, the concept of working poor has become increasingly applicable to social and labor market realities in China, Based on the household survey data and by using quantitative analysis, this paper attempts to examine the interaction between the compulsory minimum wage standards and the working poor in the period of China＇s economic transition. The results show that for those whose monthly wages higher than the compulsory minimum wage standards were less likely to work poor and that workers with wages lower than the minimum wage floor were vulnerable to working poor, which supported the expectation that the implementation of compulsory minimum wages would help to reduce the risk of being a member among the working poor in China＇s urban labor market.展开更多
文摘Under the background of accelerated integrated urban-rural development, this paper offers an analysis on the short-term employment of rural migrants in China and resulting wage gap between long-term and short-term rural migrants. On the basis of correcting for sample selection problems arising from labor market participation and short-term employment, rural migrants＇ wage function is estimated using quantile regression method, and wage gap between long-term and short-term rural migrants is decomposed using MM method. Our empirical results suggest that those with a higher level of education, training experience and local employment recommended by family relations or in formal labor market are more likely to secure long-term labor contract,＂ region and education have significant contributions to the wage of rural migrants,＂ rural migrants of both long- and short-term contract types have great gaps at the bottom of salary distribution; and there exists a sticky floor effect in wage difference of rural migrants. These results have important policy implications in enhancing employment stability of rural migrants, improving income distribution equity, speeding up the process of urbanization, and balancing regional development.
文摘This paper explores the research behind the wage gap between men and women, the reasons for and extent of the gap, and strategies for dealing with gender pay discrepancies. Historically, gender discrimination was the traditional and easy explanation for pay discrepancies, but more aggressive enforcement of equal pay legislations has virtually diminished the validity of rationalizing the existence of pay differences solely on gender. Statistical data surrounding the pay gap point to other factors as more causal instruments that sustain and perpetuate the gap in spite of more than forty years of enforcement of equal pay legislations. The choices we make seem to predict and explain current wage gaps better than blatant gender discrimination does, and policies directed at improving those choices appear to be better strategic tools in closing the wage gap.
基金the Youth Program of the National Philosophical and Social Sciences Foundation "An Empirical Study on the Employment Effect and Income Distribution Effect of Minimum Wage Regulations"(Grant No.12CJY018)sponsored by the major programs of philosophical and social sciences research under the Ministry of Education "A Study on Raising the Ratio of Household Income to National Income"+1 种基金the International Development Research Center(IDRC)of Canadathe Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD)
文摘It is generally believed in existing literature that China＇s minimum wage is too low and must be raised substantially. Such a view is highly misleading given the inconsistent statistical standards for minimum and average wages. In order to ensure comparability, this paper has adjusted the statistical scope for minimum and average wages respectively. If employees of urban private and self-employed businesses are included in calculating the average wage, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will increase by about 0.06; if the minimum wage standards of various localities include personal contributions to social insurance and the housing fund, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will increase by 0.008; if overtime pay is deducted from the average wage, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will further increase by around O. 06.In addition, if the median wage is used in place of the average wage, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will increase by at least 0.08. After these adjustments, China＇s minimum-to-average wage ratio for 2013 will increase from 0.28 to 0.49, which is within the range of between 0.40 and 0.60 that is recognized internationally as reasonable. Our analysis suggests that as far as the immediate interests of workers are concerned, it is more imperative to unify the statistical approaches for minimum and average wages in China than to raise the minimum wage standard. In order to achieve the expected effect, simply raising the minimum wage alone is not enough. What is also necessary is to enhance supervision and inspection on compliance by firms with the minimum wage policy, particularly the overtime pay regulations. An alternative is to replace monthly minimum wage with hourly minimum wage.
文摘During the past decades, the transformation of the labor market has significantly impacted on workers＇ wage structures and their employment in China. Along with the widening wage gaps and the growing income inequalities, the size of non-standard jobs expanded rapidly in China＇s urban labor market. As a result of this, the concept of working poor has become increasingly applicable to social and labor market realities in China, Based on the household survey data and by using quantitative analysis, this paper attempts to examine the interaction between the compulsory minimum wage standards and the working poor in the period of China＇s economic transition. The results show that for those whose monthly wages higher than the compulsory minimum wage standards were less likely to work poor and that workers with wages lower than the minimum wage floor were vulnerable to working poor, which supported the expectation that the implementation of compulsory minimum wages would help to reduce the risk of being a member among the working poor in China＇s urban labor market.
