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Economic Mechanisms Explaining Low Wages in the Personal Services Sector. An Analysis Focusing on Home Help Workers

Author

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  • François-Xavier Devetter
  • Emmanuelle Puissant

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to show how low wages in home help services, a sector where jobs are considered “low-skilled”, result from an array of mechanisms that themselves are the fruit of a socio-political and socio-economic construction. These mechanisms flow from both public and private strategies, which we seek to clarify by synthesising empirical work in the field of personal services. Three mechanisms involved in the non-recognition of these professions are identified (denying or reducing the “qualities” used; developing an abundant labour supply; and dividing the workforce), with each of these being applied in both national policy guidelines and employer human resources strategies. The home help sector appears to be illustrative of trends at work in many other highly feminised service activities (cleaning, hotel and catering, and retail). JEL: J24, J31, L84, M51

Suggested Citation

  • François-Xavier Devetter & Emmanuelle Puissant, 2020. "Economic Mechanisms Explaining Low Wages in the Personal Services Sector. An Analysis Focusing on Home Help Workers," Travail et Emploi, La DARES, vol. 0(2), pages 53-83.
    • Handle: RePEc:cai:teeldc:te_hs04_0053
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    personal services; skills and qualifications; home helps; services; women; low wages;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • L84 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Personal, Professional, and Business Services
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions

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