Low Pay Research Articles

Cost per kilogram weight-lost - Lifestyle change program at the Public Health Institute in Croatia

Abstract According to the 2019 European Health Survey, 42% and 23% of the Croatian adult population were affected by overweight or obesity, respectively. Counselling services are available in some Public Health Institutes for free or paid out-of-pocket. The estimated cost per kilogram lost in programs in Europe and the USA ranges from 100-340€, with a justifiable cost estimation for a weight loss intervention being 120-210€. Aim was to demonstrate the cost of losing one kilogram by analysing necessary initial material and human resources, including equipping counselling centres, and estimating the cost of continuous implementation. In the year 2023, 47 participants (31F,10M) with a BMI higher than 30 kg/m2 enrolled in the three-month free Program in the County Public Health Institute in Pozega. The program consisted of personalized assessment, habit change plan, education, counselling and follow-up. An analysis of the minimal required equipment and working hours of physician and a nurse (contracted gross hourly wage rates) was conducted. The main outcome measure was the cost of one kilogram lost by participants at the end of the Program. Program was completed by 41 (22F, 9M) participants (87.2%). Their initial BMI ranged from 30.3 to 47.4 kg/m2. Collectively, they lost 323.2 kg (1.3-24.4kg), with an average of 7.9 kg or 7.4% (1.7-19.8%) of their initial weight lost. The estimated total cost of medical, IT and office equipment, was 9363€. The human resources cost was 9509€, with a specialist and nurse spending 249 and 116 hours, respectively (27.6€/hour and 13€/hour). The initial cost per kilogram lost, including the prerequisites for the work of the counselling centre, was 58.4€. The continuous program cost with equipment already in place is estimated at 27.9€ per kilogram lost. We have shown that the lifestyle management program in the Croatia without extra cost to patients delivers results with a cost of 27.9€ per kilogram weight-lost in continuous implementation. Key messages • The significant impact of obesity on premature mortality and healthcare systems calls for the systematic implementation of effective weight management programs that are available to patients for free. • It is possible to implement effective weight management program in Croatia without extra cost to patients for 27.9 € per kilogram weight-lost.

The impact of a minimum wage increase on hours worked: heterogeneous effects by gender and sector

AbstractA minimum wage increase could lead to adverse employment effects for certain subgroups of minimum wage workers, while leaving others unaffected. This heterogeneity could be overlooked in studies that examine the overall population of minimum wage workers. In this paper, we test for heterogeneous effects of a minimum wage increase on the hours worked of minimum wage employees in Ireland. For all minimum wage workers, we find that a 10% increase in the minimum wage leads to a one‐hour reduction in weekly hours worked, equating to an hours elasticity of approximately −0.3. However, for industry workers and those in the accommodation & food sector, the impact is larger, with elasticity −0.8. We also find a negative impact on the hours worked among men on minimum wage, with no significant effect for women. This is due to the disproportionate number of men working in sectors that show the greatest impact on hours. In line with suggestions from the recent literature, we attempt to identify directly those in receipt of minimum wage using hourly wage data, while also studying the dynamic impact on hours worked over multiple time periods using a fully flexible difference‐in‐differences estimator.

Illustration of the Financial Impact of Usage of Initial Specimen Diversion Devices (ISDD) or Continued Educational Initiatives on the Costs from Blood Culture Contamination

Abstract Introduction/Objective Blood culture contamination (BCC) has the potential to lead to additional healthcare system costs and harm to patient. Two ways to reduce BCC have been explored in the literature and are economically modeled including initial specimen diversion devices (ISDD) and continued education on phlebotomy. Methods/Case Report A literature review on the economic costs of BCC, ISDD efficacy, and phlebotomy education to reduce BCC rates was undertaken. The reported average BCC at a veteran affairs medical center (VAMC), its reported rate during a month of phlebotomy training, the cost of an ISDD device at VAMC, and the average wage for 4 hours of phlebotomy manager time for training was noted. An illustrative economic model involving 100 patients was used at BCC rates of 1%, 2%, and 3% along with what had been observed at the VAMC was used for economic modeling. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) It was previously reported by Skoglund et al that in laboratories with rapid diagnostic testing modalities (such as MALDI-TOF or PCR testing), the cost per BCC event is $13,026 versus $8,287 in costs for a negative blood culture. ISDD efficacy in the literature reviewed (74.1% to 87.5%), continuous education efficacy (16.2% to 57.8%), ISDD device cost ($17.70 per device), and the hourly wage of a phlebotomy supervisor ($29.34) were noted. The reported average BCC rate from a regional VAMC was 1.33%, and during the month with education, the rate was 0.5%. From a model of 100 patients, ISDD device savings ranged from $1,741.60-$2,376.63 (1% BCR), $5,253.20-$6,523.25 (2% BCR), and $8,764.79-$10,669.88 (3% BCR). Education savings ranged from $755.98-$2,727.41 (1% BCR), $1,523.70-5,466.55 (2% BCR), and $2,291.42-$8,205.69 (3% BCR). The observed impact of education at the regional VAMC would have resulted in savings of $650.83 per 100 patients. Conclusion Both education and ISDD devices can result in significant savings from the costs of BCC.

On Institutions and Economic Policy: A Response to Michael Jacobs

AbstractIn his article ‘After neoliberalism: economic theory and policy in the polycrisis’ in this journal, Michael Jacobs sets out the importance of institutional context to politics and policy making. This article concurs with this emphasis and explores the importance of specific existing institutions such as the Low Pay Commission and Office for Budget Responsibility in our system of economic governance. It considers the case for institutional ‘deepening’ and reform as well as some potential misconceptions about the role of organisations like these in contemporary politics. Looking to the years ahead, it argues that the terrain on which politics is likely to be contested will involve a larger role for the state and continued debate about the appropriate role of institutions.

The Digital Edge: Skills That Matter in the European Labour Market after COVID-19

Following the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the emphasis on digitization and robotization has grown at an unprecedented rate in the global economy, resulting in significant changes to the labour market composition and increasing the value of digital skills. The aim of this article is to emphasize the ways in which people’s digital abilities and appetite for online activities are connected to job productivity (salary levels) and to determine which individual internet-based digital skills are genuinely important and correlated with better wages. We employed a Principal Component Analysis (PCA-type factorial analysis) with orthogonal rotation to gain a general understanding of the main components that synthesize the digital capabilities of individuals from the European countries analyzed. We decreased the dimensionality of our initial dataset to two major components, namely comprehensive online skills and digital social and media skills, keeping more than 80% of the overall variability. We then evaluated the potential association between the two created components and the average hourly wages and salaries. Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have observed an important shift in the impact of digital and internet skills on the job market in Europe. Thus, the development of comprehensive internet skills is highly correlated with individuals’ more effective integration into the labour market in Europe in general and the EU in particular, evidenced by better wage and salary levels (r = 0.740, p < 0.001). On the other hand, we found no correlation between the possibility of obtaining higher salaries for employees and the second component, digital social and media skills. The novelty of our research lies in its specific focus on the unique and immediate impacts of the pandemic, the accelerated adoption of digital skills, the integration of comprehensive individual internet skills, and the use of the most recent data to understand the labour market’s characteristics. This new approach offers fresh insights into how Europe’s workforce could evolve in response to unprecedented challenges, making it distinct from previous studies of labour market skills.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology's 2023 wage survey of medical laboratories in the United States.

To inform the pathology and laboratory field of the most recent national wage data. Historically, the results of this biennial survey have served as a basis for additional research on laboratory professional recruitment, retention, education, marketing, certification, and advocacy. The 2023 Wage Survey was conducted in collaboration between the American Society for Clinical Pathology's (ASCP's) Institute of Science, Technology, and Policy in Washington, DC, and ASCP Board of Certification in Chicago, Illinois. Compared to 2021, results show that more occupations at the staff level had an increased average hourly wage (pathologists' assistant, molecular biology technologist, phlebotomist, cytogenetic technologist, and medical laboratory technician [MLT]), after adjusting for inflation. Wages by time in current occupational title are significantly higher in 2023 than in 2021. Histotechnicians, histotechnologists, and MLTs show consistent increases in pay rates for a longer length of time in the laboratory. Over half (52.4%) of the respondents feel the pandemic continues to influence their salary and/or well-being. Survey results call for continued efforts in promoting visibility of the profession and greater representation through advocacy. While burnout rates are lower compared to 2021, staffing challenges remain a relevant concern. Efforts to support the workforce have multiplied since the pandemic and have been the forefront focus of the laboratory community. However, continued support and advocacy are needed to increase the promotion and value of laboratory careers for laboratory professionals and patients alike.

The U.S. Low-Wage Structure: A McWage Comparison

Abstract Thanks to standardized work protocol and technology of McDonald's restaurants, the hourly wage of McDonald's Basic Crew enables wage comparisons under near-identical skill inputs and hedonic job conditions. McWages capture labor costs in entry-level jobs, while the Big Macs (earned) Per Hour (BMPH) index measures corresponding purchasing power of wages. We document large and growing geographical wage differences in standardized jobs using data covering most U.S. counties during 2016-2023. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, there was no BMPH growth where minimum wages stayed constant, but the pandemic wage increase, which diminished the importance of minimum wages, was stronger in these areas.

Low Resistivity Pay Zone Detection in Hydrocarbon Formation: The Feasibility of the Spectral Induced Polarization Method

Summary Identifying and characterizing low resistivity pay (LRP) zones within hydrocarbon-rich formations has long been challenging in the petroleum industry due to their complex mineral composition, microporosity, and diminished resistivity contrasts. Traditional methods, such as resistivity measurements, struggle to effectively pinpoint LRP zones, prompting the need for innovative approaches in reservoir evaluation. This paper explores the feasibility of using the spectral induced polarization (SIP) method for detecting LRP zones. The SIP method measures complex conductivity across a frequency range from 1 mHz to 10 kHz. While this technique has been widely used in mining and environmental studies, its potential for petrophysics applications in the oil and gas sector remains largely unexplored. This study acts as a proof of concept, demonstrating the capability of SIP for detecting LRP zones. Laboratory experiments utilized dual-porosity silica gel samples with controlled micro- and macroporosity fractions and added pyrite content. Despite a high crude oil saturation of approximately 60%, the presence of brine in continuous micropores resulted in low resistivity readings (0.7 Ω·m) at low frequencies, as conventionally measured by direct current resistivity tools. However, at higher frequencies (>100 Hz), the study observed high average resistivity values (82 Ω·m), indicating a frequency-dependent behavior in electrical measurements. This behavior is attributed to polarization mechanisms, including the electrical double layer (EDL). This study’s findings propose the SIP method’s potential effectiveness for detecting LRP zones, paving the way for future research to delve deeper into the application of SIP in petrophysics.

Human Rights Violation of Dalit Women in Bangladesh

By reviewing secondary literature, this paper has analyzed the human rights situation and challenges of Dalit communities in Bangladesh, with a specific focus on the status of their women. The review unravels that Dalits belong to the most underprivileged minor communities, generally considered as lesser human beings, impure, polluted, and are secluded as well as excluded from the social and economic domains of mainstream society. Due to the social norms associated with caste system, their economic opportunities are strictly limited to menial, low paid, and service oriented jobs. Social exclusion denies their access to most basic rights, opportunities, and potential to develop as full human beings. As a result, they fail to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty, exclusion, and other forms of socio-economic marginalization. Dalit women’s situation is far worse and daunting due to their multifaceted marginal identities of being gender, religious, and occupational minorities. Finally, this paper advocates the necessity for hearing the voices and perspectives of Dalit communities, and facilitate social dialogues between them and stakeholders from governmental and non-governmental organizations, to preserve and re-conceptualize Dalit’s human rights in their own terms.

Mode Choice and Value of Time on Long-Distance Vacation Trips

Long-distance travel for leisure purposes, especially international travel, has grown dramatically over the past decades. Although its share of the total number of trips is small, it accounts for a significantly larger share of total distance and greenhouse gas emissions, with the accompanying adverse environmental consequences. One remedy might be to urge tourists to travel on vacation by rail rather than car, which is less harmful to the environment. However, it is not clear how to persuade them to do so, since knowledge of the determinants of mode choice for international vacation travel is quite limited. To fill this gap, we collected survey data among tourists, mostly international, visiting the Austrian Alps and estimated a choice model between personal vehicle and rail. The results revealed a cost dumping effect, and the significant influence of factors related to overall travel convenience, luggage transport, travel party size, and the accessibility of the destination by rail. The tourists reacted with little elasticity to changes in cost and travel time, and exhibited a higher value of time than in other studies on long-distance travel, which was also higher than the hourly wage in their home countries. This article delivers valuable evidence that could contribute to improved long-distance rail services, more accurate project appraisals, and better marketing campaigns and transportation policies to make rail more competitive against the personal vehicle, and facilitate more sustainable vacation travel.

Effects of the German Minimum Wage on Earnings and Working Time Using Establishment Data

Abstract This study examines the short-term effects of the introduction of a statutory minimum wage in Germany on hourly wages, monthly wages and paid working hours. We exploit a novel panel dataset by linking the Structure of Earnings Survey (SES) 2014 and the Earnings Survey (ES) 2015 and apply a difference-in-differences approach at the establishment level. The results indicate an effect of the introduction of the statutory minimum wage on the average hourly wages of employees in minimum wage establishments of up to 5.9 %. Due to negative effects on average working time of approximately minus 3.1 %, the effects on monthly gross earnings are smaller but still amount to up to 2.7 % on average. The results further suggest that the minimum wage effects on earnings were greater among low-wage employees than on average, in eastern Germany than in western Germany, and among part-time employees and marginal employees than among full-time employees.

Wages and Employment in the Netherlands, 2017–2023

This research documents changes in employment and wages in the Netherlands for different types of workers. We compare 2017 to 2023 using regression-adjusted wages to make sure changes in composition of the workforce do not influence our estimates. The research period has been characterised by high labour demand, negative supply shocks, high levels of inflation and economic lockdowns, all of which have contributed to substantial labour-market dynamics. Our findings suggest that employment has been growing by 2 percent in the period 2017–2023, of which 1.8 percent has been due to additional workers finding employment. Women have experienced the largest increase in employment, while the employment of men on temporary contracts has slightly fallen. Wages have been rising for workers at the bottom of the wage distribution. From the median of the wage distribution onwards real gross hourly wages have been fallen. The most likely explanation for rising wages at the bottom is the stepwise increase in minimum wages enforced by new labour-market legislation.

The role of non‐base compensation in explaining the motherhood wage gap: Evidence from Italy

AbstractThis paper underlines the importance of accounting for non‐base compensation in explaining the motherhood wage gap. We consider two alternative measures of hourly wage using Italian EU‐SILC data from 2007 to 2019: the base‐wage and the full‐wage. The former refers to the contractual base wage, while the latter includes performance‐based bonuses, productivity bonuses, commissions, pay incentives, and other extra payments. We address the endogeneity issues of motherhood and examine the effect of motherhood status across various quantiles of the wage distribution for the two hourly wage measures. Empirical findings provide evidence of a motherhood base‐wage premium, which becomes nonsignificant when using the full‐wage measure, suggesting that non‐base compensation is a source of inequality for mothers. These findings are consistent across the wage distribution. Exploring potential heterogeneity across macro‐regions and periods, we find no notable regional disparities except minor distinctions for the Southern regions, alongside a decline in the base‐wage premium over time and the emergence of a full‐wage penalty in recent years. A comparative analysis with a sample of men reveals that fathers enjoy a premium with both wage measures. Nevertheless, fatherhood is also associated with reduced extra remunerations, yet to a lesser extent than motherhood.

Petrophysical evaluation based on three-stream convolutional neural networks in the Berkine Basin, Algeria

Petrophysical evaluation is a key stage before formation test in exploration field, it allows the identification of the best plays in term of effective porosity, shale volume and hydrocarbon saturation. This paper introduces an innovative approach to petrophysical evaluation by leveraging deep learning techniques, our scheme is based on three streams, in each stream we predict a petrophysical parameter (Volume of shale, Effective Porosity and water saturation), each stream represents a convolutional neural network model that has been trained using traditional wireline logging data from the Silurien argilo-greseux reservoir units in the Berkine Basin, Algeria. experimental results show that our proposed method achieves stat-of-the-art predictions by giving correlated results in comparison against conventional analysis methods (calculated Shale Volume, Porosity and water saturation), furthermore assessment of test data shows also that our method gives good prediction in thin beds reservoirs and offers the ability to detect low resistivity pays. Because our method is based on Convolutional neural network models, it is fast and allows the petrophysical parameters prediction in real time.

US neonatal intensive care unit registered dietitian nutritionists salary description and correlates: results of a survey.

This survey described the compensation of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) in the United States and examined correlates of higher salaries within this group. A cross-sectional online survey was completed in 2021 by 143 NICU RDNs from 127 US hospitals who reported hourly wage in US dollars (USD). We used initial bivariate analyses to assess the relationship of selected institution-level and individual-level variables to hourly wage; the rank-sum test for binary variables; bivariate regression and Pearson correlation coefficients for continuous variables; the Kruskal-Wallis test for categorical variables. Variables with a compelling relationship to the hourly wage outcome were considered in model creation. Final model selection was based on comparisons of model fit. Median hourly compensation was USD 33.24 (interquartile range [IQR] 29.81, 38.49). Seven variables had a compelling bivariate relationship with hourly wage: cost of living, employer facility with a paediatric residency, employer facility with a neonatal fellowship, NICU bed: full-time equivalents (FTE) RDN ratio, years in neonatal nutrition, having a certification and order writing privileges. In the final adjusted model (R2 = 0.42), three variables remained associated with increased hourly wage: higher cost of living, longer length of career in neonatal nutrition and fewer NICU beds per NICU RDN FTE. US NICU RDNs earn similar or slightly higher wages than other US paediatric RDNs; they earn substantially less than other NICU healthcare team members. Employers need to improve compensation for NICU RDNs to incentivise their retention and recognise their additional non-clinical responsibilities.

The experience of school-based dramatherapists: Understanding the barriers and facilitators of UK school-based dramatherapy to inform better implementation

Approximately 50% of UK dramatherapists deliver their work in schools. Despite this, little is currently known about the way in which school settings affect the dramatherapy that is delivered within them. This qualitative investigation utilised semi-structured interviews (N = 12) and reflexive thematic analysis to identify the facilitators and barriers of providing dramatherapy in school settings. In addition, the unique experiences of working as a dramatherapist in a school setting were also investigated. Amongst others, the facilitators identified included school as an accessible and safe place for therapy to occur. In addition, the structure provided by the school’s daily and annual timetable, and the support of other school-based professionals and organisations were also identified. The barriers identified related to funding challenges, inappropriate referrals, schools seeking quick results and a lack of access to suitable spaces for therapy to occur. Regarding their experiences of employment, many dramatherapists spoke of working in multiple schools and, whilst some enjoyed the flexibility this offered, many found it challenging to become part of the school community and experienced a sense of isolation whilst working. Feeling like they are lower paid than clinical counterparts, such as colleagues in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), was also raised by those interviewed. These findings suggest that resource investment and investment into teachers’ and other school-based professionals’ knowledge of dramatherapy is warranted. In addition, dramatherapists who work in schools may benefit from community building. Future research, which explores the experience of dramatherapists in other settings is also encouraged.

Alternative Solutions to Increase Pension Security Participation in Indonesia

This study aims to analyze alternative solutions to increase the number of pension security participation in Indonesia. The analysis method used in this study is Panel Data Regression. The data used in the panel data analysis are Number of Pension Security Participants, Human Development Index (HDI), Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), Open Unemployment Rate (TPT), Information and Communication Technology Development Index (IPTIK), Young age (15-24) who are not in school, working or training (NEET), Proportion of Average Hourly Wages to Provincial Minimum Wage (Wages), Gini Ratio, Labor Force Participation Rate (TPAK) from 2017-2022 in 33 Provinces in Indonesia. The results of panel data processing, the best model is the Fixed Effect Model with regression results showing that only GRDP variables have a significant positive influence. While the Wage variable has a significant negative effect and the IPM, TPT, IPTIK, NEET, Gini Ratio, TPAK variables have no influence on the Number of Pension Security Participants.

Can operational efficiency in the Portuguese electricity sector be improved? Yes, but...

Efficiency has long been an issue of concern in the electricity sector. Most existing studies relate technical efficiency in electricity generation to policy factors while that in transmission and distribution is associated with environmental factors. Although firm operation is also a relevant perspective on this topic, its explicit impact upon technical efficiency has rarely been studied. In order to analyze the evolution and operational determinants of productive and cost efficiency in the Portuguese electricity sector (including generation from different sources, trade, transmission and distribution), this study estimates Stochastic Frontier models using firm-level panel data from 2006 to 2019, covering the period of liberalization of the Portuguese electricity market. The evidence indicates efficiency improvement through time, which is likely to slow down and needs to be consolidated. Results on the inefficiency determinants suggest that it is possible to improve productive technical efficiency by encouraging investment in fixed assets, higher average hourly wage and moderate average working hours. In addition, based on the results, we advocate deepening the integration of the Iberian electricity market and stimulating competition in the renewable energy sector.

The demand for skills training among Medicaid home-based caregivers

Medicaid spends nearly 100 billion dollars annually on home and community-based care for the disabled. Much of this care is provided by personal care aides, few of whom have received training related to the services they provide. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to estimate their demand for training. We find that 13 percent of these caregivers complete training without an incentive. Paying the caregivers four times their hourly wage increases training completion by roughly nine percentage points. Additional experimental variation suggests that among individuals confirmed to be aware of the training, the financial incentive increases completion from 35 to 58 percent. Demand curves based on these results suggest that while many caregivers value the opportunity to train, policies aimed at universal take up require large financial incentives.

Estimating the economic impact of complications after open tibial fracture: A secondary analysis of the pilot Gentamicin Open Tibia trial (pGO-Tibia).

To estimate the indirect economic impact of tibial fractures and their associated adverse events (AEs) in Tanzania. A secondary analysis of the pilot Gentamicin Open (pGO)-Tibia randomized control trial estimating the indirect economic impact of suffering an AE, defined as a fracture-related infection (FRI) and/or nonunion, after an open tibial fracture in Tanzania. The pGO-Tibia trial was conducted from November 2019 to August 2021 at the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. One hundred adults with open tibial shaft fractures participated in this study. Work hours were compared between AE groups. Cost data were analyzed using a weighted-average hourly wage and converted into purchasing power parity-adjusted USD. Indirect economic impact was analyzed from the perspective of return to work (RTW), lost productivity, and other indirect economic and household costs. RTW was analyzed using a survival analysis. Half of patients returned to work at 1-year follow-up, with those experiencing an AE having a significantly lower rate of RTW. Lost productivity was nearly double for those experiencing an AE. There was a significant difference in the mean outside health care costs between groups. The total mean indirect cost was $2385 with an AE, representing 92% of mean annual income and an increase of $1195 compared with no AE. There were significantly more patients with an AE who endorsed difficulty affording household expenses postinjury and who borrowed money to pay for their medical expenses. This study identified serious economic burden after tibial fractures, with significant differences in total indirect cost between those with and without an AE. II.