Low-Wage Employment in Europe

by Stephen Bazen (Editor), Mary Gregory (Editor), Wiemer Salverda (Editor)

Do low wages help to reduce unemployment and increase competitiveness in world markets? Is minimum wage legislation and collective bargaining harmful to the efficient working of any economy? In answer to these questions, this book examines the impact of low-wage employment on different countries in Europe. This book traces the development of low-wage employment in Europe, paying special attention to the role of minimum wages, social exclusion, the youth labour market and the emergence of new forms of employment relationship. The authors find that the evolution of low-wage employment has not always occurred at the same pace among European countries, and in certain countries it is not dissimilar to the United States. They also argue that minimum wage legislation does provide protection for the lowest paid but that it alone will not prevent the emergence of low-wage employment. Lastly, countries with highly regulated labour markets such as France and Germany have seen the development of new forms of low wage employment which exist outside the conventional labour market. This book will be of particular interest to students and scholars of labour economics, industrial relations and European studies as well as policymakers in the public sector and international organizations.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999