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Hispanics immigrants in the fields: is discrimination a barrier to get non-agricultural jobs?

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  • Lopez Barrera, E.

Abstract

Current trends on global migration combined with the poor performance of the US economy and national security issues have polarized the debate about migration policies, leaving in evidence some radical postures that have had particular acceptance in the rural areas of the US. This research presents evidence supporting the existence of differences in treatments received by Hispanics job seekers on agricultural and non-agricultural labor markets found through an experimental labor market. Hispanics males’ productivity predicted by agricultural employers was higher than the predicted by non-agricultural employers, suggesting that Hispanics males are believed to fit better in agricultural activities. This may imply an invisible barrier preventing Hispanics to access non-agricultural jobs. Employers’ beliefs reactions to a more informative signal related to productivity sent to the labor market were tested. Hispanic job-seekers’ signals did not significantly reduce the gap between agricultural and non-agricultural employers’ beliefs; suggesting that this invisible barrier may also prevent Hispanic males mobility from agricultural to nonagricultural jobs over time, reducing the incentive to invest in costly signals’ improvement (i.e. education, reputation). Results also support the existence of a non-neutral gender barrier, given no differences in treatments where found for female Hispanics.

Suggested Citation

  • Lopez Barrera, E., 2018. "Hispanics immigrants in the fields: is discrimination a barrier to get non-agricultural jobs?," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 276016, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:iaae18:276016
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.276016
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