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Reducing working time and inequality: what has the French 35-hour work week experience taught us?

Author

Listed:
  • Fabrice Gilles

    (EPEE, University of Evry-Val-d'Essonne.)

  • Yannick L'Horty

    (EPEE, University of Evry-Val-d'Essonne.)

Abstract

To evaluate the inequality effects of implementing the 35-hour work week, we have used a very general labor demand framework that takes into account various skills and the impact of work duration on wages, hourly productivity and labor organization. Numerical simulations include several components of Aubry devices and consider wide but realistic ranges for the various parameters. The 35-hour work week always increases the employment level but has a negative effect on working hours. Moreover, it reduces employment and wage inequality across the whole labor force and among workers, while probably raising welfare inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabrice Gilles & Yannick L'Horty, 2003. "Reducing working time and inequality: what has the French 35-hour work week experience taught us?," Documents de recherche 03-07, Centre d'Études des Politiques Économiques (EPEE), Université d'Evry Val d'Essonne.
    • Handle: RePEc:eve:wpaper:03-07
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    working time reduction; labor demand; inequality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J38 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Public Policy

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