Precarious but popular? The German mini-job scheme in comparative research on work and welfare

Regina Konle-Seidl

doi:10.1017/ics.2021.11

Abstract

AbstractThis review paper critically examines a range of analytical frameworks used to analyse the German mini-job scheme in comparative research on work and welfare. The approaches examined include labour market dualisation in comparative political economy research and welfare-to-work policies in comparative social policy research. The paper claims that using stylized facts instead of a thorough understanding of the broader context of national employment and social systems leads to misinterpretations in terms of policy learning. By describing the institutional context and main drivers of the evolution of mini-jobs over time, based on variety of data sources, statistics and empirical studies, the paper addresses the critical role of this specific employment scheme for gender equality, largely ignored in the comparative literature.

Highlights

IntroductionIn Germany, for about 4.1 million workers (roughly 10 per cent of the total workforce) so-called minijobs represent their main job
In Germany, for about 4.1 million workers so-called minijobs represent their main job
By putting mini-jobs in its historical and institutional context and by reviewing a variety of data sources, statistics and empirical studies, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive and contextualised analysis of this particular employment scheme contesting its framing in different sub-fields of comparative research on work and welfare

Summary

Introduction

In Germany, for about 4.1 million workers (roughly 10 per cent of the total workforce) so-called minijobs represent their main job. Another 3.0 million workers hold a mini-job as a secondary job, alongside a main job. Mini-jobs have given cause to very different – even contradictory – interpretations in comparative cross-country research. In the sub-field of comparative political economy, mini-jobs are seen as a strategy to extend labour market dualisation Mini-jobs are a particular precarious form of employment causing an increase in the risk of poverty for millions of people (Arrizabalo, Pinto, & Vincent, 2019).

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