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Journal Articles
July 2012 (American Economic Journal)
Article
Enforcement of Labour Regulation and Informality
Type: Journal Articles
Authors: Pedro Carneiro and Rita Almeida
Volume, issue, pages: vol. 4(3); pp. 64-89
JEL classification: J31; J63; J88; K31; O15
Previous version: cemmap Working Papers [Details]

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Enforcement of labour regulations in the formal sector may drive workers to informality because they increase the costs of formal labour. But better compliance with mandated benefits makes it attractive to be a formal employee. We show that, in locations with frequent inspections workers pay for mandated benefits by receiving lower wages. Wage rigidity prevents downward adjustment at the bottom of the wage distribution. As a result, lower paid formal sector jobs become attractive to some informal workers, inducing them to want to move to the formal sector.

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