Trade Liberalization, Employment Flows and Wage Inequality in Brazil

From:
Department for International Development
Published
1 January 2007
Country:
Brazil
Document Type:
Research Paper
Theme:
Economic Growth
Authors:
Ferreira, F.H.G, Leite, P.G., Wai-Poi, M.

Abstract

Using nationally representative, economy-wide data, this paper investigates the relative importance of trade-mandated effects on industry wage premiums; industry and economy-wide skill premiums; and employment flows in accounting for changes in the wage distribution in Brazil during the 1988-95 trade liberalization. Unlike in other Latin American countries, trade liberalization appears to have made a significant contribution towards a reduction in wage inequality. These effects have not occurred through changes in industry-specific (wage or skill) premiums. Instead, they appear to have been channelled through substantial employment flows across sectors and formality categories. Changes in the economy-wide skill premium are also important.

Citation

Ferreira, F.H.G; Leite, P.G.; Wai-Poi, M. Trade Liberalization, Employment Flows and Wage Inequality in Brazil. UNU-WIDER, Helsinki, Finland (2007) 48 pp. ISBN 978-92-9230-00-005-0 [WIDER Research Paper No. 2007/58]

Trade Liberalization, Employment Flows and Wage Inequality in Brazil

Published 1 January 2007
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