Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/263625 
Year of Publication: 
2022
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 15409
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Can digital labour market platforms reduce search frictions in formal or informal labour markets? We study this question using a randomized experiment embedded in a tracer study of the work transitions of graduates from technical and vocational colleges in Mozambique. We implement an encouragement design, inviting graduates by SMS to join established digital platforms: Biscate, a site to find freelancers for informal manual tasks; and Emprego, a conventional formal jobs website. In contrast to positive estimates of the contribution of both platforms to job outcomes from naïve (per-treatment) estimates, both intent-to-treat and complier average treatment effects are consistently zero in the full sample, while the impact on life satisfaction is negative. However, use of the informal jobs platform leads to better work outcomes for women, especially those with manual qualifications, for whom earnings rise by over 50%.
Subjects: 
digital labour platforms
search frictions
technical and vocational education
unemployment
Mozambique
JEL: 
46
J64
J68
O15
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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