Research Workshop: Employment Quality in Segmented Labour Markets

Within the framework of its research programme, the Office is organising a Second Workshop on Employment Quality in Segmented Labour Markets.

One of the key features of the labour market developments throughout the world observed during recent years is the phenomenon of labour market segmentation: the division of the labour market into separate submarkets or segments, distinguished by different characteristics and behavioural rules. Segmentation may arise from particularities of labour market institutions, such as governing contractual arrangements (regular versus atypical employment), lack of enforcement (and resulting informality), as well as types of workers concerned (such as migrant, domestic, or dispatch workers).

The goal of this second workshop is for participants to discuss the lessons of recent research for policy that aims to alleviate labour market segmentation or its effects. As part of this research programme, a first workshop was held on 10-11 December 2012, where studies on labour market segmentation for 13 countries were presented and discussed.

The current workshop will prepare and discuss technical notes drawing the lessons of research for policy around three key themes. The focus will be on identifying the state of our knowledge on labour market segmentation, on consequences of its different forms in terms of both equity and efficiency of labour market outcomes, on viability of innovative policies, and also on recent and current reforms aimed at alleviating the labour market segmentation. Participants will discuss policy proposals in a manner that also incorporates implementation and enforcement matters.

Rather than presenting individual papers, participants will be invited to intervene by providing structured inputs drawn from their research to specific thematic discussions. These inputs will be used to produce collective technical notes to inform policy advice on the issue of segmentation.

The country studies are available only for the participants of the Meeting. The password can be obtained from one of the Secretariat members (contacts above):

Argentina
Chile
China
Colombia
France
Germany
India
Israel
Italy
Korea
Peru
Spain
Vietnam