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Organized Labour and Restructuring: Coal Mines in the Czech Republic and Romania

In: The Labour Market Impact of the EU Enlargement. A New Regional Geography of Europe?

Author

Listed:
  • Jan Bruha

    (Economic Institute, Prague)

  • Delia Ionascu

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Byeongju Jeong

    (Economic Institute, Prague)

Abstract

We examine the role of organized labour in the restructuring experience of two coal-mining regions in the 1990s. Under similar external circumstances, the Czech Republic’s Ostrava region underwent gradual restructuring from early on whereas Romania’s Jiu Valley region went through no restructuring until 1997 followed by massive layoffs over two years. We conduct a quantitative exercise that accounts for mine productivity, labour market conditions and the constraints in compensating laid-off miners. We show that the Jiu Valley’s delay in restructuring was inefficient. Gradual restructuring with compensation would have benefited both the miners and the government. The proximate reason for the delay was the Jiu Valley miners’ action against restructuring. We discuss what motivated their action and why it was effective.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Bruha & Delia Ionascu & Byeongju Jeong, 2010. "Organized Labour and Restructuring: Coal Mines in the Czech Republic and Romania," AIEL Series in Labour Economics, in: Floro Ernesto Caroleo & Francesco Pastore (ed.), The Labour Market Impact of the EU Enlargement. A New Regional Geography of Europe?, edition 1, chapter 3, pages 49-72, AIEL - Associazione Italiana Economisti del Lavoro.
  • Handle: RePEc:ail:chapts:04-03
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stephen L. Parente & Edward C. Prescott, 2002. "Barriers to Riches," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262661306, December.
    2. Acemoglu, Daron & Robinson, James A., 2001. "Inefficient Redistribution," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 95(3), pages 649-661, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Organized Labour; Restructuring; Coal; Turnover; Transition; Welfare.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • J50 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - General
    • P31 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - Socialist Enterprises and Their Transitions
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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