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The Impact of Trade Unions on the Gender Wage Gap : Evidence from China

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  • MA, Xinxin
  • CHENG, Jie

Abstract

Using national longitudinal survey data from the China Family Panel Studies from 2010 to 2020, this study explores union effects on the gender wage gap in China. The results demonstrate that the union wage premium is greater for women than men; the union wage premium beneficial for women in the public sector is greater than that in the private sector. The gender gap in the probability of obtaining union membership is insignificant for both the public and private sectors. Discrimination against women among the non-union group is the main factor generating the gender wage gap for both the public and private sectors, and the effect in the public sector is greater than that in the private sector. Additionally, the gender gap in unionism reduces the gender wage gap in the public sector while it widens the wage gap in the private sector, and the endowment differences reduce the gender wage gap in both the public and private sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • MA, Xinxin & CHENG, Jie, 2023. "The Impact of Trade Unions on the Gender Wage Gap : Evidence from China," Discussion Paper Series 752, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    • Handle: RePEc:hit:hituec:752
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    File URL: https://hermes-ir.lib.hit-u.ac.jp/hermes/ir/re/81445/DP752.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    union membership; gender wage gap; discrimination; public and private sector; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • J52 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Dispute Resolution: Strikes, Arbitration, and Mediation
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • 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

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