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The differentiated effects of minimum wage reforms on unemployment Evidence from the Greek labor market

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  • Bechlioulis, Alexandros
  • Chletsos, Michael

Abstract

The paper studies the relative effect between two groups, a treatment group of low-wage workers and a control group of high-wage workers, when a minimum wage reform is introduced. The empirical analysis uses a rich dataset from the Greek labor market over the period between 2010 and 2020. The study examines whether the employees’ responses and the potential effects of two different minimum wage reforms on unemployment were heterogenous. Our results are straightforward: among the two groups, the relative possibility of job loss is associated with an increase in the minimum wage, while the relative possibility of job search difficulty is strongly affected by a minimum wage cut. The former result is getting worse for employees who engaged in a minimum wage-intensive sector in the previous year and are now inactive. The latter result is reinforced for very young workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Bechlioulis, Alexandros & Chletsos, Michael, 2021. "The differentiated effects of minimum wage reforms on unemployment Evidence from the Greek labor market," MPRA Paper 109327, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:109327
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andriopoulou Eirini & Karakitsios Alexandros, 2022. "Unemployment transitions and the role of minimum wage: From pre-crisis to crisis and recovery," IZA Journal of Labor Policy, Sciendo & Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 12(1), pages 1-26, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    minimum wage; minimum wage reforms; job loss; job search difficulty; labor market;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand

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