Under the background of accelerated integrated urban-rural development, this paper offers an analysis on the short-term employment of rural migrants in China and resulting wage gap between long-term and short-term rur...Under the background of accelerated integrated urban-rural development, this paper offers an analysis on the short-term employment of rural migrants in China and resulting wage gap between long-term and short-term rural migrants. On the basis of correcting for sample selection problems arising from labor market participation and short-term employment, rural migrants＇ wage function is estimated using quantile regression method, and wage gap between long-term and short-term rural migrants is decomposed using MM method. Our empirical results suggest that those with a higher level of education, training experience and local employment recommended by family relations or in formal labor market are more likely to secure long-term labor contract,＂ region and education have significant contributions to the wage of rural migrants,＂ rural migrants of both long- and short-term contract types have great gaps at the bottom of salary distribution; and there exists a sticky floor effect in wage difference of rural migrants. These results have important policy implications in enhancing employment stability of rural migrants, improving income distribution equity, speeding up the process of urbanization, and balancing regional development.展开更多
Information and communication technology promotes the rapid development of fintech,which has a far-reaching impact on wage distribution in China.Using data from the Chinese General Social Survey and the Index of Digit...Information and communication technology promotes the rapid development of fintech,which has a far-reaching impact on wage distribution in China.Using data from the Chinese General Social Survey and the Index of Digital Financial Inclusion,this study examines the impact of fin tech on the gender wage gap.We find that fin tech(i)narrows the gender wage gap;(ii)reduces capital constraints and operating costs,thereby promoting female entrepreneurship,driving more women into employment,and enabling women to increase their wages and bargaining power within the household;and(iii)positively impacts the wages of women(and men)who have lower family economic status,and helps women(but not men)counter the risk of decline in wages caused by childbearing and caring under the two-child policy.These findings have important policy implications and provide evidence of women s improving economic conditions leading to a reduced gender wage gap.展开更多
Using data from the 1995, 2002 and 2007 surveys, the paper attempts to investigate whether the gender wage gap has continued to widen during the period under study. To answer the question, this paper utilizes decompos...Using data from the 1995, 2002 and 2007 surveys, the paper attempts to investigate whether the gender wage gap has continued to widen during the period under study. To answer the question, this paper utilizes decomposition methodology to decompose the wage difference between male and female employees into explained and unexplained components. The results of decomposition for 1995, 2002 and 2007 indicate that the gender wage gap increased significantly, particularly in the period 2002-2007, and that an increasing part of the gap was due to unexplained components. This implies rising discrimination against female employees in China＇s urban labor market. Decomposition results based on quantile regression analysis indicate the gender wage gap is greater for low wage groups, as is the share of unexplained components in the gap.展开更多
In this paper, I extend the model in Coate and Loury （CL） （1993） to show how statistical discrimination by employers can help create gender wage gap for men and women with equal earning potentials. Given that empl...In this paper, I extend the model in Coate and Loury （CL） （1993） to show how statistical discrimination by employers can help create gender wage gap for men and women with equal earning potentials. Given that employers do not perfectly ob- serve a worker＇s skill type and partly rely on the average skills level of his （her） peers for inference purpose, employers＇ differential treatment of male and female workers can create different skill-investment incentives for them, which in turn justify em- ployers＇ discrimination in the first place. The second result of this paper which is not possible within the original CL framework is that I point to the possibility that there exist circumstances under which the gender wage gap can not be eliminated without the formerly advantaged sex being negatively affected.展开更多
Anyone who follows China affairs will know that the country has embarked on a path toward building a harmonious society. To help clarify the concept of a harmonious society, the Central Committee of the Communist Part...Anyone who follows China affairs will know that the country has embarked on a path toward building a harmonious society. To help clarify the concept of a harmonious society, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has issued the Resolutions on Major Issues Regarding the Building of a Harmonious Socialist Society after a plenary session in October, as a guide to the process. Below we have two commentaries by Ji Li, a commentator with Study Times and Professor Gu Yumin from the Marxism Sch...展开更多
This paper explores the research behind the wage gap between men and women, the reasons for and extent of the gap, and strategies for dealing with gender pay discrepancies. Historically, gender discrimination was the ...This paper explores the research behind the wage gap between men and women, the reasons for and extent of the gap, and strategies for dealing with gender pay discrepancies. Historically, gender discrimination was the traditional and easy explanation for pay discrepancies, but more aggressive enforcement of equal pay legislations has virtually diminished the validity of rationalizing the existence of pay differences solely on gender. Statistical data surrounding the pay gap point to other factors as more causal instruments that sustain and perpetuate the gap in spite of more than forty years of enforcement of equal pay legislations. The choices we make seem to predict and explain current wage gaps better than blatant gender discrimination does, and policies directed at improving those choices appear to be better strategic tools in closing the wage gap.展开更多
It is generally believed in existing literature that China＇s minimum wage is too low and must be raised substantially. Such a view is highly misleading given the inconsistent statistical standards for minimum and ave...It is generally believed in existing literature that China＇s minimum wage is too low and must be raised substantially. Such a view is highly misleading given the inconsistent statistical standards for minimum and average wages. In order to ensure comparability, this paper has adjusted the statistical scope for minimum and average wages respectively. If employees of urban private and self-employed businesses are included in calculating the average wage, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will increase by about 0.06; if the minimum wage standards of various localities include personal contributions to social insurance and the housing fund, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will increase by 0.008; if overtime pay is deducted from the average wage, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will further increase by around O. 06.In addition, if the median wage is used in place of the average wage, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will increase by at least 0.08. After these adjustments, China＇s minimum-to-average wage ratio for 2013 will increase from 0.28 to 0.49, which is within the range of between 0.40 and 0.60 that is recognized internationally as reasonable. Our analysis suggests that as far as the immediate interests of workers are concerned, it is more imperative to unify the statistical approaches for minimum and average wages in China than to raise the minimum wage standard. In order to achieve the expected effect, simply raising the minimum wage alone is not enough. What is also necessary is to enhance supervision and inspection on compliance by firms with the minimum wage policy, particularly the overtime pay regulations. An alternative is to replace monthly minimum wage with hourly minimum wage.展开更多
During the past decades, the transformation of the labor market has significantly impacted on workers＇ wage structures and their employment in China. Along with the widening wage gaps and the growing income inequalit...During the past decades, the transformation of the labor market has significantly impacted on workers＇ wage structures and their employment in China. Along with the widening wage gaps and the growing income inequalities, the size of non-standard jobs expanded rapidly in China＇s urban labor market. As a result of this, the concept of working poor has become increasingly applicable to social and labor market realities in China, Based on the household survey data and by using quantitative analysis, this paper attempts to examine the interaction between the compulsory minimum wage standards and the working poor in the period of China＇s economic transition. The results show that for those whose monthly wages higher than the compulsory minimum wage standards were less likely to work poor and that workers with wages lower than the minimum wage floor were vulnerable to working poor, which supported the expectation that the implementation of compulsory minimum wages would help to reduce the risk of being a member among the working poor in China＇s urban labor market.展开更多
文摘Under the background of accelerated integrated urban-rural development, this paper offers an analysis on the short-term employment of rural migrants in China and resulting wage gap between long-term and short-term rural migrants. On the basis of correcting for sample selection problems arising from labor market participation and short-term employment, rural migrants＇ wage function is estimated using quantile regression method, and wage gap between long-term and short-term rural migrants is decomposed using MM method. Our empirical results suggest that those with a higher level of education, training experience and local employment recommended by family relations or in formal labor market are more likely to secure long-term labor contract,＂ region and education have significant contributions to the wage of rural migrants,＂ rural migrants of both long- and short-term contract types have great gaps at the bottom of salary distribution; and there exists a sticky floor effect in wage difference of rural migrants. These results have important policy implications in enhancing employment stability of rural migrants, improving income distribution equity, speeding up the process of urbanization, and balancing regional development.
基金This work is supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universitiesthe Research Funds of Renmin University of China(No.21XNH075).
文摘Information and communication technology promotes the rapid development of fintech,which has a far-reaching impact on wage distribution in China.Using data from the Chinese General Social Survey and the Index of Digital Financial Inclusion,this study examines the impact of fin tech on the gender wage gap.We find that fin tech(i)narrows the gender wage gap;(ii)reduces capital constraints and operating costs,thereby promoting female entrepreneurship,driving more women into employment,and enabling women to increase their wages and bargaining power within the household;and(iii)positively impacts the wages of women(and men)who have lower family economic status,and helps women(but not men)counter the risk of decline in wages caused by childbearing and caring under the two-child policy.These findings have important policy implications and provide evidence of women s improving economic conditions leading to a reduced gender wage gap.
基金This research was funded by the Ford Foundation and the Chinese National Social Science Foundation major national project for 2006, ＂Reform of the Income Distribution System and Social Equality＂ （headed by Li Shi）, the 2009 major project ＂Research on the Adjustment of National Income Distribution and the Structure of Fiscal Expenditure＂ （headed by Cong Shuhai）, and the key project of the National Natural Science Foundation ＂Integration of Labor Markets in Urban and Rural China＂ （headed by Yao Xianguo）. We extend our gratitude to those concerned.
文摘Using data from the 1995, 2002 and 2007 surveys, the paper attempts to investigate whether the gender wage gap has continued to widen during the period under study. To answer the question, this paper utilizes decomposition methodology to decompose the wage difference between male and female employees into explained and unexplained components. The results of decomposition for 1995, 2002 and 2007 indicate that the gender wage gap increased significantly, particularly in the period 2002-2007, and that an increasing part of the gap was due to unexplained components. This implies rising discrimination against female employees in China＇s urban labor market. Decomposition results based on quantile regression analysis indicate the gender wage gap is greater for low wage groups, as is the share of unexplained components in the gap.
文摘In this paper, I extend the model in Coate and Loury （CL） （1993） to show how statistical discrimination by employers can help create gender wage gap for men and women with equal earning potentials. Given that employers do not perfectly ob- serve a worker＇s skill type and partly rely on the average skills level of his （her） peers for inference purpose, employers＇ differential treatment of male and female workers can create different skill-investment incentives for them, which in turn justify em- ployers＇ discrimination in the first place. The second result of this paper which is not possible within the original CL framework is that I point to the possibility that there exist circumstances under which the gender wage gap can not be eliminated without the formerly advantaged sex being negatively affected.
文摘Anyone who follows China affairs will know that the country has embarked on a path toward building a harmonious society. To help clarify the concept of a harmonious society, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has issued the Resolutions on Major Issues Regarding the Building of a Harmonious Socialist Society after a plenary session in October, as a guide to the process. Below we have two commentaries by Ji Li, a commentator with Study Times and Professor Gu Yumin from the Marxism Sch...
文摘This paper explores the research behind the wage gap between men and women, the reasons for and extent of the gap, and strategies for dealing with gender pay discrepancies. Historically, gender discrimination was the traditional and easy explanation for pay discrepancies, but more aggressive enforcement of equal pay legislations has virtually diminished the validity of rationalizing the existence of pay differences solely on gender. Statistical data surrounding the pay gap point to other factors as more causal instruments that sustain and perpetuate the gap in spite of more than forty years of enforcement of equal pay legislations. The choices we make seem to predict and explain current wage gaps better than blatant gender discrimination does, and policies directed at improving those choices appear to be better strategic tools in closing the wage gap.
基金the Youth Program of the National Philosophical and Social Sciences Foundation "An Empirical Study on the Employment Effect and Income Distribution Effect of Minimum Wage Regulations"(Grant No.12CJY018)sponsored by the major programs of philosophical and social sciences research under the Ministry of Education "A Study on Raising the Ratio of Household Income to National Income"+1 种基金the International Development Research Center(IDRC)of Canadathe Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD)
文摘It is generally believed in existing literature that China＇s minimum wage is too low and must be raised substantially. Such a view is highly misleading given the inconsistent statistical standards for minimum and average wages. In order to ensure comparability, this paper has adjusted the statistical scope for minimum and average wages respectively. If employees of urban private and self-employed businesses are included in calculating the average wage, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will increase by about 0.06; if the minimum wage standards of various localities include personal contributions to social insurance and the housing fund, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will increase by 0.008; if overtime pay is deducted from the average wage, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will further increase by around O. 06.In addition, if the median wage is used in place of the average wage, the minimum-to-average wage ratio will increase by at least 0.08. After these adjustments, China＇s minimum-to-average wage ratio for 2013 will increase from 0.28 to 0.49, which is within the range of between 0.40 and 0.60 that is recognized internationally as reasonable. Our analysis suggests that as far as the immediate interests of workers are concerned, it is more imperative to unify the statistical approaches for minimum and average wages in China than to raise the minimum wage standard. In order to achieve the expected effect, simply raising the minimum wage alone is not enough. What is also necessary is to enhance supervision and inspection on compliance by firms with the minimum wage policy, particularly the overtime pay regulations. An alternative is to replace monthly minimum wage with hourly minimum wage.
文摘During the past decades, the transformation of the labor market has significantly impacted on workers＇ wage structures and their employment in China. Along with the widening wage gaps and the growing income inequalities, the size of non-standard jobs expanded rapidly in China＇s urban labor market. As a result of this, the concept of working poor has become increasingly applicable to social and labor market realities in China, Based on the household survey data and by using quantitative analysis, this paper attempts to examine the interaction between the compulsory minimum wage standards and the working poor in the period of China＇s economic transition. The results show that for those whose monthly wages higher than the compulsory minimum wage standards were less likely to work poor and that workers with wages lower than the minimum wage floor were vulnerable to working poor, which supported the expectation that the implementation of compulsory minimum wages would help to reduce the risk of being a member among the working poor in China＇s urban labor market.
