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Labour Regulations, Contractualization and Industrial Performance

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  • Irfan Ahmad Sofi
  • Pritee Sharma

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of spiralling growth in usage of contractual labour, in the context of stringent pro-worker labour regulations, on industrial labour productivity and employment generation. We obtain a quantitative measure of ‘stringency of labour regulations’ by applying majority rule on three different measures used in the literature. The results show that average labour productivity increases with the increase in the ratio of permanent workers to contractual workers, unless the industries are not operating in states having rigid/pro-worker labour regulations—which implies a negative impact of contractualization on labour productivity. Besides, the results show that the rigid/pro-worker labour regulations have negative impact on employment generation; it is especially discernible in labour-intensive industries.

Suggested Citation

  • Irfan Ahmad Sofi & Pritee Sharma, 2015. "Labour Regulations, Contractualization and Industrial Performance," South Asia Economic Journal, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, vol. 16(1), pages 122-144, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:soueco:v:16:y:2015:i:1:p:122-144
    DOI: 10.1177/1391561415575131
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Employment protection legislation; contractualization; labour productivity; employment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • K31 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Labor Law

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