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The wage penalty induced by part-time work: the case of Belgium

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Author Info
Maria Jepsen (Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA), and European Trade Union Institute (ETUI).)
Sile O'Dorchai (Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA))
Robert Plasman (Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA))
François Rycx (Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA) and Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA, Bonn).)

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Abstract

Substantial research has been devoted to the estimation and explanation of the gender wage gap. The effects of work status on wages have been studied somewhat less. This article draws on existing work to generate new estimates of the wage penalty associated with part-time employment in Belgium. Given the fact that women remain the primary caregivers, almost solely in charge of housework, part-time employment has often been presented as an ideal solution for those wanting to combine family and professional responsibilities. However, parttime employment has many flaws, not the least of which is the wage penalty it induces. On the basis of the 1995 Structure of Earnings Survey (SES), we estimate the wage gap between part-time and full-time work for a sample of women only. Based on our results, we advance explanations related to human capital and productivity differences, types of job and industry branches, personal characteristics of part-timers, etc. We also compare the results with earlier results for Belgium based on the European Community Household Panel (ECHP). The unexplained part of the part-time wage gap allows us to assess the degree to which labour markets discriminate against part-timers. The existence of such discrimination suggests that equal opportunities policies should focus not only on labour market conditions but also on a more equal sharing of domestic work between men and women.

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Publisher Info
Article provided by Editions du DULBEA, Université libre de Bruxelles, Department of Applied Economics (DULBEA) in its journal Brussels Economic Journal/Cahiers Economiques de Bruxelles.

Volume (Year): 48 (2005)
Issue (Month): 1-2 ()
Pages: 73-94
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Handle: RePEc:bxr:bxrceb:y:2005:v:48:i:1-2:p:73-94

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Related research
Keywords: female labour supply; work status; part-time employment; wage gap; decomposition;

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models

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