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Low pay and poor workers: a comparative study of France and the United States

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  • Sophie Ponthieux

    (INSEE, Direction de l'animation de la récherche, des études et des statistiques, Ministry of Employment and Solidarity)

  • Pierre Concialdi

    (IRES)

Abstract

In the USA the share of low-wage earners in the labour force is twice as high as in France, although it has remained relatively constant on the other side of the Atlantic in recent years, whereas it has risen in France. The characteristics of the workers affected in the two countries are comparable: women, young people and the low-skilled are more than proportionately affected, groups that are also more frequently encountered in part-time jobs. Low-wage earners have a higher risk of living in a low-income household than the average for wage and salary earners. In the USA poor people of working age are more likely to be employed than is the case in France. In both countries there is clearly a link between the poverty risk and the annual number of hours worked. However, in France the working poor are more likely to be confronted with the problem of inadequate weekly working hours, whereas the same phenomenon in the USA is clearly due to the low level of minimum wages.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophie Ponthieux & Pierre Concialdi, 2000. "Low pay and poor workers: a comparative study of France and the United States," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 6(4), pages 650-672, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:6:y:2000:i:4:p:650-672
    DOI: 10.1177/102425890000600408
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    References listed on IDEAS

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