Do workers in exporting industries earn higher wages? Evidence from recent trade liberalisation episodes in two developing countries
by Mona Said; Shireen AlAzzawi
Global Business and Economics Review (GBER), Vol. 16, No. 4, 2014

Abstract: This paper explores wage adjustments in the Moroccan and Egyptian manufacturing sectors over recent periods of rapid trade openness and export promotion. By utilising successive rounds of labour survey data merged with trade variables that capture export orientation, import penetration and reduction of tariffs, the results indicate that trade liberalisation in form of lower tariffs in both countries, and greater export orientation in Egypt, lead to significant wage gains. Additionally there are interesting sector and gender differentials. In Morocco, only private enterprise workers gain, whereas public enterprise witnesses substantial reductions in wages due to liberalisation. In contrast, in Egypt both types of workers witnessed wage gains, and these were even greater for public enterprise workers. In both countries, there is evidence that increased competition from trade has also reduced discrimination against female workers. The paper concludes by noting the fragility of such gains, and suggesting the need for further policies to preserve them, in the aftermath of world economic and financial crisis.

Online publication date: Fri, 31-Oct-2014

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the Global Business and Economics Review (GBER):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com