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Wage effects of labor market entry via temporary work agency employment - evidence for German apprenticeship graduates

Author

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  • Niebuhr, Annekatrin
  • Buch, Tanja

Abstract

In light of the remarkable number of young people who pass through a period of temp work at the beginning of their career the question arises whether labor market entry via temporary work agency (TWA) employment has any (persistent) effects on labor market outcomes. We investigate this issue using a unique dataset that contains information from the German apprenticeship system which is merged with the employment biographies of more than 8,000 apprenticeship graduates for the 1999-2007 period. We apply propensity score matching and the control function approach in order to analyze the wage gap and the medium-term wage effects of TWA employment. Our results point to a rather pronounced wage gap and persistent adverse wage effects. But we detect no significant wage disadvantage for graduates who switch to regular employment. An important percentage of graduates who enter the labor market via a temp spell does, however, not manage to permanently leave the TWA sector and thus has to bear persistent wage penalties.

Suggested Citation

  • Niebuhr, Annekatrin & Buch, Tanja, 2013. "Wage effects of labor market entry via temporary work agency employment - evidence for German apprenticeship graduates," VfS Annual Conference 2013 (Duesseldorf): Competition Policy and Regulation in a Global Economic Order 79818, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
  • Handle: RePEc:zbw:vfsc13:79818
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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