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Workfare: Möglichkeiten und Grenzen

Author

Listed:
  • Koch, Susanne
  • Stephan, Gesine

    (Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Nuremberg, Germany)

  • Walwei, Ulrich

    (Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Nuremberg, Germany)

Abstract

"One of the most far-reaching proposals for reform in the field of labour market policy is to link the receipt of transfer payments in general to a 'service in return' from the recipient. This concept operates under the name of workfare. This paper examines the possibilities and limits of workfare in dealing with labour market problems. This includes the labour supply effects, the life satisfaction of welfare recipients and the balancing of the labour market taking into account the fiscal consequences. The paper shows that one fundamental premise for the effectiveness of a wide-ranging workfare does not apply without restriction. Empirical findings suggest that employment increases life satisfaction even when the income level is controlled for. Thus workfare need not have a 'deterrent effect'. Furthermore the labour-market-policy utility as an activation alternative is limited due to the possible risks of displacement. Nevertheless, elements of workfare definitely have a place in the context of a wide-ranging set of labour market policy instruments." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Suggested Citation

  • Koch, Susanne & Stephan, Gesine & Walwei, Ulrich, 2005. "Workfare: Möglichkeiten und Grenzen," IAB-Discussion Paper 200517, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    • Handle: RePEc:iab:iabdpa:200517
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Christina Wübbeke, 2013. "Ältere Arbeitslose am Scheideweg zwischen Erwerbsleben und Ruhestand: Gründe für ihren Rückzug vom Arbeitsmarkt [Older unemployed persons at the crossroads between working life and retirement: thei," Journal for Labour Market Research, Springer;Institute for Employment Research/ Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), vol. 46(1), pages 61-82, March.
    2. Laura Romeu Gordo, 2011. "Compression of morbidity and the labour supply of older people," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(4), pages 503-513.
    3. Hohendanner, Christian, 2007. "Verdrängen Ein-Euro-Jobs sozialversicherungspflichtige Beschäftigung in den Betrieben?," IAB-Discussion Paper 200708, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    4. Kruppe, Thomas, 2006. "Die Förderung beruflicher Weiterbildung : eine mikroökonometrische Evaluation der Ergänzung durch das ESF-BA-Programm," IAB-Discussion Paper 200621, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    5. Bartelheimer, Peter & Henke, Jutta & Kotlenga, Sandra & Pagels, Nils & Schelkle, Bettina, 2012. ""Es lässt sich mit allen arbeiten": PRIMUS - Arbeitsmarktdienstleistung zwischen Vermittlung und Fallmanagement," IAB-Forschungsbericht 201205, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    6. Blien, Uwe & Kirchhof, Kai & Ludewig, Oliver, 2006. "Agglomeration effects on labour demand," IAB-Discussion Paper 200628, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    7. Amend, Elke & Herbst, Patrick, 2008. "Labor market pooling and human capital investment decisions," IAB-Discussion Paper 200804, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    8. Jochen Michaelis & Alexander Spermann, 2009. "Geringqualifizierte Arbeit, Marktlöhne und Sozialpolitik: Konzepte für Deutschland," MAGKS Papers on Economics 200920, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    9. Spermann, Alexander, 2006. "Basic Income Reform in Germany: Better Gradualism than Cold Turkey," ZEW Discussion Papers 06-064, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    10. Rosenthal, Peer & Sommer, Jörg & Matysik, Alexander, 2012. "Wandel von Reziprozität in der deutschen Arbeitsmarktpolitik. Das Beispiel öffentlich geförderte Beschäftigung," Schriftenreihe Institut Arbeit und Wirtschaft 12/2012, Institut Arbeit und Wirtschaft (IAW), Universität Bremen und Arbeitnehmerkammer Bremen.
    11. Eckey, Hans-Friedrich & Schwengler, Barbara & Türck, Matthias, 2007. "Vergleich von deutschen Arbeitsmarktregionen," IAB-Discussion Paper 200703, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bundesrepublik Deutschland ; aktivierende Arbeitsmarktpolitik ; Transferleistung ; Workfare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • J68 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Public Policy

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