An evaluation of the Brazilian informal labor market from 1995 to 2008

Abstract

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to perform an evaluation of the Brazilian informal labor market, following the lines suggested by Araujo and Souza. The paper focuses on the Brazilian labor market by using data from the National Household Sampling Survey – PNAD/IBGE, from 1995 to 2008.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses four different methodologies: the OLS, pseudo‐panel with fixed effects, instrumental variables and the Heckman selection model. The data for this study were obtained at the National Household Sampling Survey – PNAD/IBGE, from 1995 to 2008, with an exception to the years of 1994 and 2000, when this survey did not occur. The cross‐section data were pooled and divided in two periods: 1995‐2002 and 2003‐2008. The sample ranges individuals from 22 to 57 years of age.Findings – The empirical findings show that although wages play an import role in the decision of workers and firms, all wage gaps between formal and informal markets reduced considerably, as has been pointed out by Matto...