Employment Policy Research Articles

How Work Becomes Invisible: The Erosion of the Wage Floor for Workers with Disabilities

How does work come to be constructed as a service to the worker? In the United States, the payment of subminimum wages to disabled workers has been legal since 1938 and was entrenched by 1986 legislation eliminating the previously mandated floor of 50 percent of the minimum wage. This article draws on primary historical materials to explain the passage of these amendments, which I analyze as a case of delaborization, a process through which work is mystified as such and reclassified as something else (e.g., service). I find that the managers of segregated workshops for disabled manual laborers rose to control disability employment policy in the aftermath of deinstitutionalization. Professionals mobilized disability stigma to frame the subminimum wage as a social welfare issue subject to their expertise and to lobby successfully for its entrenchment. Weaknesses in the disability–labor coalition enabled this seizure of jurisdiction. This research illuminates professional expertise, the withdrawal of labor unions, and identity-based stigma as major mechanisms driving delaborization, an important contemporary influence on the organization of work. The case of the subminimum wage thus develops sociological literatures on labor, disability, and politics.

Investigation of the effect of women’s employment indicators on women’s health indicators by panel data analysis method

With the increase in the education level of women, their level of representation in the professional professions and their presence in business life has increased. It has been inevitable that this situation would affect the socio-economic structure of societies and the health indicators of employed women. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of women’s employment indicators on women’s health indicators using the panel data analysis method. Two different econometric models were developed in the study. Model-1 predicts that a possible 1% increase in the female unemployment rate would result in a 0.06% decrease in the fertility rate. Model-2 estimates that a possible 1% increase in the female unemployment rate would lead to a 0.04% decrease in female-specific average life expectancy. Also, it is predicted that a possible increase of 1% in the total labor force participation rate of women can provide an increase of 0.04% in the average life expectancy of women. The results of the study indicate that the presence of women in the workforce directly impacts women’s health indicators, particularly socio-economic indicators. Thus, there is a need to develop employment policies based on women’s health in the employability of women.

THOUGHTS ON THE EU'S EMPLOYMENT POLICY, OR IS THE ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION RELEGATED TO THE BACKGROUND?!

In terms of European public administration, we can certainly talk about a specific and perhaps unfairly rarely spotlighted topic, which may be mainly behind it. That with regard to employment policy, the Union primarily transfers responsibility and authority to the governments of the member states, the common legislation emerging in this area is also of extreme importance.The objectives of the European employment strategy defined in the field of the common employment policy go back to 1997, which implemented "soft coordination" between the member states through the elaborated follow-up process and financing instruments. The most important objective of Europe 2020 was to improve the number and quality of jobs. Among the goals to be achieved by 2030, the focus is placed on the area of skills and social protection (EU Briefings on employment policy).

Indonesian Employment and Labor Policy: A Pancasila Perspective

Indonesian Employment and Labor Policy: A Pancasila Perspective

Quartet of Sustainable Job Security, Job Performance, Organizational Commitment, and Motivation in an Emerging Economy: Focusing on Northern Cyprus

High-performing employees are essential for an organization to achieve its goals and gain a competitive advantage. Hence, human resource factors are crucial drivers of an organization’s success. These factors include organizational commitment, which is an employee’s sense of belonging to an organization; motivation, which pushes employees to act in line with the organization’s goals; perceived job security; and sustainable job performance. In particular, job security, including excess job security, has significant effects on sustainable job performance, and policymakers and managers must continuously monitor this relationship via their employment policies. However, the legal and social dimensions of employment policies lack clarity, particularly in developing countries, affecting the development of sustainable economic and social structures. This study focuses on the public and private banking sectors of Northern Cyprus, which operate in a developing economy and cannot provide a sustainable political–social work balance. It analyzes and separately compares data collected from 582 public- and private-sector bank employees, examining the mediating effects of organizational commitment and motivation on the relationship between perceived job security and sustainable performance. The study found that job security positively affects sustainable job performance, with organizational commitment and motivation positively mediating this relationship. Moreover, the positive effects of job security on organizational commitment and motivation and, hence, on sustainable job performance differ across the public and private sectors. The findings of this study can provide a reference for labor employment policies in developing countries aiming to build a sustainable economic structure.

Local labour markets, workforce planning and underemployment

Underemployment in the UK and other European economies – that is people looking for a new job with longer hours, or wanting longer hours in their current job – has risen since the 2008–9 financial crisis. This article informs policy debates on how underemployment can be addressed in the UK. It deploys a mixed methods research design, which is necessary to identify how labour market conditions shape workforce planning, including establishment-level labour hoarding over a variety of temporal scales through underemployment. The authors analyse quantitative data identifying greater underemployment risks in less productive local economies and ‘slacker’ local labour markets (but note complex differences across rural and urban areas). They complement this with qualitative data drawing on exploratory interviews with employer representatives and identify the potential importance of both labour market conditions and business models in shaping workforce planning decisions that affect underemployment risks. The authors discuss priorities for labour market and employment policy.

Parental socioeconomic status and adolescent development in Indonesia

ABSTRACT We examine the impact of parental socioeconomic status on adolescent cognitive and non-cognitive development using data on adolescents from the 2014–15 Indonesian Family Life Survey. The analysis is relatively new for a developing country, by including non-cognitive skills and by looking at adolescents rather than young children. Parental education has a greater cognitive skills effect than parental income and job status, especially for fathers. For non-cognitive skills, parental job status is important but only for mothers. Education policy could therefore focus especially on high school completion and higher education enrolment, while employment policy could improve women’s job flexibility.

The influence of regional minimum wages on unemployment rates in Indonesia multiple linear regression analysis

Background: This study investigates the influence of regional minimum wages, along with gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation, on unemployment rates in Indonesia from 2012 to 2020. Method: Multiple linear regression analysis is employed to examine the relationships between these economic variables. Findings: The findings reveal that regional minimum wages have a significant negative effect on unemployment rates, indicating that a 1% increase in the minimum wage leads to a 3.951% decrease in unemployment, ceteris paribus. GDP also exhibits a significant negative influence, aligning with Okun's law which suggests an inverse relationship between economic growth and unemployment. In contrast, inflation does not significantly impact unemployment rates during the studied period. Collectively, the three variables positively and significantly affect Indonesia's unemployment rate, with an adjusted R-squared value of 0.749. This implies that 74.9% of the variation in unemployment can be explained by GDP, inflation, and minimum wages, while other factors account for the remaining 25.1%. Conclusion: The study highlights the complex interplay between these macroeconomic indicators and unemployment, providing insights for policymakers to develop effective strategies for managing employment challenges in Indonesia. Novelty/Originality of this study: This empirical analysis reveals the dynamic relationship between regional minimum wages, GDP, inflation, and unemployment in Indonesia (2012-2020). The findings provide an evidence-based basis for formulating more effective and responsive employment and economic policies for Indonesia's labour market conditions.

What Works for the Youth: Analysis of Youth Employment Policies in Rwanda

In Rwanda, over 75 percent of youth are not in education, employment and training (NEET). These are mostly absorbed in the informal sector that provides little or no protection to workers against shocks, and are prone to several socio-economic, technical, and financial constraints. Through desk review of existing policies and studies, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs), this study reviews and analyzes the existing youth employment policies (YEPs) and interventions with intent to identify the hurdles and outcomes of the actual implementation of these YEPs in Rwanda. Youths aged 18 to 30, policy makers, policy implementers, and implementing partners were the key target respondents. The study finds a multitude of YEPs and interventions to promote youth education and skilling, entrepreneurship, and business development funding; though most of them are more focused on supply than demand-side of the labor market, with limited vulnerable youth inclusivity. Common hurdles encountered during implementation of YEPs include: poor coordination among the vast YEPs causing monitoring challenges both at national and district level, and duplication of services. Difficulty to integrate education and skilling into decent youth employment, matching labor laws with youth welfare, cultural bias limiting young women from participating in some labor market activities, funding gaps, and limited youth engagement during program design. Addressing these challenges requires a well-coordinated stakeholder engagement, and strong collaboration between the public and private sector, as well as civil society organizations.

Lifelong education policies in Europe and Latin America

“Lifelong Education Policies in Europe and Latin America” offers an insightful examination of lifelong learning policies through the lens of policy studies, focusing on the similarities and differences between Europe and Latin America. The book delves into various dimensions of employment policies, adult education and learning, vocational education and training, and higher education. It particularly emphasizes the formulation and implementation of these policies by policymakers and the interplay among educational authorities, employers, and providers at local, regional, and national levels. This comparative approach is pivotal in broadening the comprehension of lifelong learning within compensatory and upskilling initiatives.

Human Resource Management Strategy

The development of human resources, in accordance with the objectives, strategy and implementation of relevant policies of the Bank of Albania aims to create a suitable work environment that serves not only the professional growth of employees, but also the continuous improvement of the administrative processes of each institution. The administration of human resources has recently been focused on the acquisition and continuous implementation of the best practices of human resource management that are applied in similar institutions in the European Union. Pursuing dynamic policies of employment, management and career promotion of staff, for a professional and flexible structural organization, remains a priority of each state. In order to efficiently manage human resources, it is required that each institution adapts the regulatory infrastructure to the best standards, continuously creating promotion opportunities for employees with professional experience, as well as always aiming to motivate employees and increase effectiveness at work. . Through the policies for increasing professional motivation, it is aimed to preserve the sustainability and continuity of the staff, considered as one of the main challenges faced by central banks today. Received: 2 June 2024 / Accepted: 25 July 2024 / Published: 29 July 2024

Firms’ recruitment practices: the powers of segmentation and of valuation

Abstract This article proposes an original framework to show the plurality of matching dynamics, the processes by which firms and applicants meet and match in the labour market. It combines segmentation theory and economics of convention to characterise the powers of segmentation and valuation of firms when they recruit. Drawing on a national survey of French employers, the article identifies four matching dynamics. Thirty-five percent of the matches correspond to proximity-based matching dynamics, wherein firms do not control the candidates’ profiles. Thirty-four percent of matches result from standard dynamics and 17% from professional-based dynamics. In both cases, firms know the outline of the offer, evaluated through personalised criteria. Partnership-based matching dynamics (14% of the matches) are relatively open for candidates placed by intermediaries, whose evaluation is standardised. The article argues that no matching dynamic is more effective than others, and that employment policies must adapt to the plurality of labour market functioning.

Perinatal Economic Abuse: Experiences, Impacts, and Needed Resources.

Introduction: Economic abuse is one form of intimate partner violence (IPV) intended to control a survivor's ability to make, save, or spend money to gain power over them. Perinatal people may be more vulnerable to economic abuse due to changes in employment and finances. This study's aims were to explore how economic abuse manifests among pregnant and parenting survivors and how best to support pregnant and parenting survivors of economic abuse. Methods: We conducted virtual semistructured interviews with IPV survivors and IPV advocates. Participants were recruited through an online recruitment registry, national IPV organizations, and local domestic violence agencies. Interview audiorecordings were transcribed. We used a deductive-inductive thematic analysis approach. Two research team members individually coded each transcript and met to resolve discrepancies in coding. Results: We completed interviews with 18 advocates and 20 survivors. Participants described experiences of financial control, exploitation, and employment sabotage. Partners leveraged the criminal-legal, child welfare, and health care systems and cultural norms about pregnancy, including those related to gender and religion to financially harm survivors. Advocates described how economic abuse impacts marginalized survivors. Dream resources described include cash assistance, healthy relationship and financial education, and employer policies. Discussion: Survivors and advocates reported a variety of experiences with economic abuse during the perinatal period. Future interventions should focus on providing unrestricted cash transfers to survivors, developing education on economic abuse, and creating supportive policies in health care and employment settings. This study highlights the ways that economic abuse specifically impacts perinatal survivors and their children.

Responses to the jobs crisis. Digital transformations of the Romanian labor market

The present article presents a sociological analysis of the sources of crisis in the context of the Romanian labour market, compared to post-socialist and post-Soviet countries. The study examines the labour market changes over the past two decades, from the economic crisis of 2008 to the COVID-19 crisis. The article shows how socioeconomic vulnerabilities during crises interacted with the transformations caused by employment policies, technological transformations of work and neoliberal measures on the labour market in Romania.

Exploring the multifaceted dynamics of unemployment in South Africa

This study aims to examine the causes and impacts of unemployment in South Africa using data from the 2022 General Household Survey conducted by STATS SA. Specifically, it seeks to analyze the demographic and socio-economic factors influencing unemployment rates, explore the implications of unemployment on individuals and society, and identify policy implications for addressing this pressing issue. Unemployment remains a significant challenge in South Africa, with persistent high rates that disproportionately affect certain demographic groups. This study addresses the need for an in-depth analysis of unemployment dynamics, providing valuable insights into its causes, consequences, and potential policy interventions. The study utilizes data from the 2022 General Household Survey conducted by STATS SA, encompassing a total population of approximately 18738 households. The dataset offers comprehensive information on employment status, demographic characteristics, education levels, and household income. Employing the statistical software SPSS, employing a combination of descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, and a binary logistic regression model, the research uncovers significant disparities across demographic groups, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals at the household level and advocating for targeted policy interventions. Gender disparities emerge starkly, with female-headed households constituting 44% of the sample yet reporting lower employment rates (34.7%) compared to male-headed households (59.6%). Regression analysis confirms this trend, highlighting the gender-based hurdles in accessing employment opportunities. Furthermore, concerning trends in youth unemployment are revealed, with nearly 40% of individuals under 35 reported as unemployed. Regression analysis demonstrates a negative association between age and unemployment, emphasizing the need for targeted youth employment initiatives. Additionally, the study underscores the critical role of education in enhancing employment prospects, with higher levels of education associated with lower unemployment rates. Racial disparities in unemployment rates are also elucidated, with the Black/African population group facing the highest unemployment rate at 52.3%, significantly higher than the Asian/Indian (37.8%) and White (40.4%) population groups. Regression analysis confirms these disparities, necessitating targeted efforts to address structural barriers and promote racial equity in the labor market. The study recommends, implementing gender-sensitive employment policies, enhancing youth skills development programs, and promoting equitable access to education and training opportunities for all groups.

Impact of Employment Policies of Liaoning Province in China on Talent Flow in the Post-Pandemic Era

The importance of studying talent migration in Liaoning lies in its strategic role in Northeast China's economy, particularly for post-pandemic recovery and global adaptation. This paper assesses the impact of Liaoning's employment policies on talent flow and labor market equilibrium after COVID-19. It underscores the critical influence of government strategies in tackling employment issues, especially for newly graduated individuals and established professionals. This highlights the synergy between public policy, economic stability, and workforce progression amidst global shifts. The findings indicate a positive effect of these policies in retaining and attracting talent, thereby reducing the negative impact on the labor market due to the pandemic. The paper recommends further enhancements to these policies, focusing on the incorporation of digital transformation and ongoing educational initiatives. These steps are proposed to foster workforce flexibility and to stimulate regional economic development. This comprehensive approach aims not only at immediate labor market stabilization but also at long-term strategic planning for Liaoning's economic and workforce competitiveness on a global scale.

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AS A PREREQUISITE FOR CREATING A FAMILY IN THE SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES

The article is devoted to the study of ways to overcome youth unemployment and identify the main factors of successful youth employment in Denmark as an effective Scandinavian model, given the need to increase the efficiency of youth employment in Ukraine as a factor of readiness to start a family. It is found that the leading factor that determines the readiness of young people to start a family is socio-economic, which involves acquiring a profession and successful implementation in the labour market. It has been established that full employment of the young population as one of the strategic objectives of the Danish government has been successfully implemented in recent decades. It is found that the youth policy implemented at the level of Danish municipalities is based on the values enshrined in international conventions, national and local legislation and is in line with their strategic documents. These include: taking into account the diversity of needs, interests, abilities, talents of young people; creating policies for young people and with the active participation of young people; aiming to increase opportunities for the development of social, personal and professional potential of young people; affirming equal value and equal rights for all; paying special attention to children and young people in vulnerable or disadvantaged situations, children and young people with disabilities; creating a high-quality democratic educational environment for children and young people. It has been determined that municipal youth initiatives are often experimental in nature, and their mechanisms are based on preventive, early intervention with broad involvement of young people in the discussion in the decision-making process in communities. The study identified the key factors for successful youth employment and overcoming youth unemployment in Denmark. It is concluded that there is a need for a thorough study of the best practices of developed countries in employment policy, systematisation of initiatives and combination of approaches in the youth segment of the labour market in order to develop and implement mechanisms for creating favourable conditions for increasing youth employment in Ukraine.

Progression of Employment and Livelihoods Policies and Regulations for the Protracted Displacement of Refugees in Host Countries: Syrian Refugees in Jordan as a Case Study

Objectives: Three major research questions have been raised in this study to explain issues related to the employment and livelihood for Syrian refugees in Jordan and their experience to the existing employment and livelihood policies and regulations. Methods: To do so, the quantitative survey has been conducted with 390 respondents and qualitative interviews with 5 respondents to derive an outcome of the study. Results: The study concluded that the livelihood and employment of Syrian refugees in Jordan is a difficult problem that involves several different aspects. Conclusions: To address these difficulties, there will need to be a concerted and ongoing effort by the Jordanian government, as well as from international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and players from the private sector.

Employment policy and unemployment problems in Georgia

Methods: The study of the labor market is based on the analysis of the data of the National Department of Statistics of Georgia and studies conducted by international organizations. In the research process, the methods of scientific abstraction were used – when defining the labor market and the essence of the concepts «unemployment» and «employment»; comparative analysis – when comparing the employment situation of the population of Georgia and some other countries; statistics – when determining the dynamics of the main indicators of the labor market. Results. The current state of the labor market in Georgia was analyzed and the dynamics of its main indicators for the period 2017–2023 were determined. The main problems in the field of employment of the Georgian economy were identified, which include incomplete use of labor resources, differentiation of population incomes, imbalance between demand and supply of professions. The analysis of the labor market in Georgia revealed that the majority of jobs in the national economy are created in industries that do not use modern technologies and, therefore, do not require highly qualified specialists; employees with a high level of qualification cannot find a job in their specialty for a long time, as a result of which they lose their qualifications or are forced to work in low-skilled jobs; the level of education received and real knowledge often turn out to be incompatible with each other. The components of state policy in the sphere of employment regulation are considered. A comparative analysis of this policy was carried out in such countries as: Georgia, Latvia, Estonia, Hungary, Austria. Prospects for increasing the effectiveness of employment policy in Georgia are outlined. Novelty. As a result of the study of the employment policy, it was found that its tools have different effects on solving the problem of unemployment with regard to the short-term and longterm periods. Job search assistance programs have been shown to have the same results in both the short and long term, while vocational training programs have been shown to perform much better in the medium and long term. Practical value. The results obtained during the research can be useful in the formation of employment policy at both the regional and state levels of the functioning of the national economy.

Formation of an effective social policy at domestic enterprises in conditions of uncertainty

Methods. The article is based on the use of such research methods as: scientific abstraction – when defining the essence of the concept of «enterprise social policy»; system analysis in terms of the application of the decomposition of elements – when distinguishing the components of the construction of social policy at the enterprise; general and specific – when establishing the relationship between the social policy of the state and the social policy of the enterprise; statistical methods – when analyzing income under social protection schemes in Ukraine for the period 2018–2022. Results. The analysis of theoretical and methodological approaches to the definition of the concept of «social policy of the enterprise» was carried out, and the author’s vision of its essence was proposed. The levels of social policy implementation by economic entities were identified and its functions at each of the levels were distinguished. The structure of the social policy at the enterprise is considered and the following directions are singled out: employment policy, income policy, policy of cooperation between employers and trade unions, policy of social security and social protection, policy of improving the quality of employees, working life, etc. The interdependence between the social policy of the state and the social policy of the enterprise was established, its connection with the socio-economic indicators of business development was demonstrated, and it was proved that it is the basis for an active policy of developing the intellectual potential of the enterprise. The analysis of financial income under schemes of social protection of the population in Ukraine for the period 2018–2022 was carried out, as well as a detailed analysis of the types of income that form the basis for ensuring social protection of the population in 2022. Novelty. The author’s definition of the concept of «enterprise social policy» is provided, namely: it is presented as management of the process of providing social services and creating appropriate conditions for employees of enterprises and their families, motivating and increasing the effectiveness of their innovative and creative abilities, with the aim of forming adaptive and progressive development business entities and the state. A model of social policy formation as a basis for the development of intellectual potential at the enterprise is proposed. Practical value. Based on the data of the analysis, it was determined that the social policy of the domestic enterprise is part of the social policy of the state, and therefore is in close interdependence with the directions of its implementation at the national level of the functioning of the economy. That is why the attention of the management of enterprises to the activities of the state in the social sphere, which is discussed in this article, can contribute to the formation of more real social orientations of business.