Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/191489 
Year of Publication: 
2016
Series/Report no.: 
IRENE Working Paper No. 16-09
Publisher: 
University of Neuchâtel, Institute of Economic Research (IRENE), Neuchâtel
Abstract: 
This paper proposes an equilibrium matching labor market model for developing countries where the interaction between public, formal and informal sectors is considered. Theoretical analysis shows that labor markets' liberalization reforms can be evicted by shifts in public employment. Since the public sector accounts for a substantial share of employment in developing countries, this approach is crucial to understand their labor market outcomes. Wage offers to public sector employees increase the outside option value of workers during their bargaining processes in the formal and informal sectors. It becomes more profitable for workers to search on-the-job to access more attractive and stable jobs. The public sector therefore acts as an additional tax imposed on private firms. Using workers flows data from Egypt, we show that labor markets' liberalization plays against informal employment by increasing formal jobs' profitability, but is evicted by the increase of public sector wages observed at the same time.
Subjects: 
Job search
Informality
Public Sector
Egypt
Unemployment
Wages
Policy Interventions
JEL: 
E24
E26
J60
J64
O17
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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