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Évaluation de la prime salariale des travailleurs de la construction au Québec reliée à l’instabilité de l’industrie

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  • Yves Létourneau

    (Université de Montréal)

  • Yves Rabeau

    (Université du Québec à Montréal)

Abstract

In this paper, we estimate on the basis of the human capital theory and its empirical applications in a market economy, the competitive wage rate of the Quebec construction workers who are covered by the so-called Construction Decree. Our results are consistent with past studies on the matter and show that construction workers earn a wage premium equivalent to 25% to 30% of the average wage rate earned by comparable occupations. This result takes into account the specific working conditions in the construction industry. In particular, this wage gap is obtained after taking into account a nonmonetary job hazard premium earned by construction workers. We attribute the existence of this wage premium to the cyclical instability of the industry as well as to the bilateral monopoly regime in the industry related to salary negociation. Since construction workers receive already a wage premium, setting up a guaranteed income system for the construction workers appears to be an unfounded proposal. Dans cette étude, nous évaluons à l’aide des principes découlant de la théorie du capital humain en économie de marché, le salaire concurrentiel des travailleurs de l’industrie de la construction au Québec couverts par le Décret. Dans le sillage des études déjà faites par le passé sur l’industrie de la construction, nous trouvons que les travailleurs couverts par le décret de la construction au Québec reçoivent une prime salariale de 25 à 30 % par rapport au taux de salaire de marché de professions comparables. Cet écart est obtenu après avoir tenu compte des particularités des conditions de travail du secteur de la construction; notamment nous avons pris en considération une prime de risque non monétaire associée aux risques de lésions professionnelles et de mort accidentelle dans le secteur de la construction. Nous attribuons l’existence de cette prime en partie au régime de monopole bilatéral en matière de négociation salariale créé par le système du décret et en partie à l’instabilité de l’activité dans l’industrie de la construction. Les travailleurs recevant déjà une prime salariale pour instabilité d'’activité, l’instauration d’un régime de revenu garanti pour les travailleurs de la construction ne nous apparaît pas approprié.

Suggested Citation

  • Yves Létourneau & Yves Rabeau, 1991. "Évaluation de la prime salariale des travailleurs de la construction au Québec reliée à l’instabilité de l’industrie," L'Actualité Economique, Société Canadienne de Science Economique, vol. 67(4), pages 517-531.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:actuec:v:67:y:1991:i:4:p:517-531
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Viscusi, W Kip, 1978. "Wealth Effects and Earnings Premiums for Job Hazards," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 60(3), pages 408-416, August.
    2. Richard Thaler & Sherwin Rosen, 1976. "The Value of Saving a Life: Evidence from the Labor Market," NBER Chapters, in: Household Production and Consumption, pages 265-302, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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