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‘Good’ Bad Jobs? The Evolution of Migrant Low-Wage Employment in Germany (1985–2015)

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  • Torben Krings

Abstract

The article examines the evolution of migrant low-wage employment in the context of structural changes in the German labour market. By drawing on data from the Socio-Economic-Panel, it seeks to answer why low-wage jobs disproportionally rose among migrants since the late 1980s. It argues that while human capital characteristics mattered to some extent, institutional and organisational changes were more important to account for worsening earnings. When linking the findings to the broader debate about migration and labour market segmentation, several issues emerge. First, the extent of low-wage jobs is not fixed but shaped by historically specific segmentation patterns that may change over time. Second, whether less-skilled jobs are precarious and of low pay depend above all on the presence of inclusive labour market institutions and power relations between actors. Third, the growth of low-wage jobs cannot be considered independent of the available labour supply, including a rise in cross-border mobility.

Suggested Citation

  • Torben Krings, 2021. "‘Good’ Bad Jobs? The Evolution of Migrant Low-Wage Employment in Germany (1985–2015)," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 35(3), pages 527-544, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:35:y:2021:i:3:p:527-544
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017020946567
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    1. Landini, Fabio & Rinaldi, Riccardo, 2024. ""Bad Jobs" in "Good Industries": The Precarious Employment of Migrant Workers in the Manufacturing Sector of the Emilia-Romagna Region," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1409, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    2. Barbara Orth, 2024. "Stratified pathways into platform work: Migration trajectories and skills in Berlin’s gig economy," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 56(2), pages 476-490, March.

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