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Does far-right populism affect immigrants’ working conditions?

Author

Listed:
  • Anna D’Ambrosio

    (Polytechnic of Turin and LABOR)

  • Roberto Leombruni

    (University of Turin and LABOR)

  • Tiziano Razzolini

    (University of Siena, GLO, IZA, LABOR, and ASESD)

Abstract

Anti-immigrant stances are central in far-right populist propaganda. We investigate whether the electoral success of far-right populist parties affects the labor market conditions of immigrants. Using administrative panel data from Italian manufacturing workers in 1994–2005, we show that higher electoral support for the populist party Lega Nord significantly increases injury risks for foreign workers within job spells. This effect is most pronounced in small firms, which are characterized by lower levels of unionization and employment protection. The increase in injury rates appears driven by task reallocation to overtime and night shifts and to the exploitation of immigrants’ labor supply rigidity. While alternative factors such as import competition and robotization influence injury risk, they fail to explain our core findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna D’Ambrosio & Roberto Leombruni & Tiziano Razzolini, 2025. "Does far-right populism affect immigrants’ working conditions?," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 38(1), pages 1-31, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:jopoec:v:38:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s00148-025-01076-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s00148-025-01076-5
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Social norms; Discrimination; Workplace injuries; Night-shift segregation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing

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