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Trade And Labor Markets: Evidence From The Colombian Trade Liberalization Process

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  • Christian Jaramillo
  • Jorge Tovar

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to measure the impact of trade on the sectoral labor markets. Using the Colombian National Household Survey and comparable trade-related data, we study how changes in trade policy affect the sectoral demands for labor, as measured by the change in wages and employment. We develop a structural model and estimate its reduced form specification to determine an elasticity between measures of sectoral tariffs and labor demand, correcting for tariff endogeneity. The data used covers the period of 1984 through 1999. This allows us to take advantage of the natural experiment represented by the Colombian trade liberalization process of the early nineties. The results suggest that sector tariff levels over the period are positively correlated with their employment levels, but only for tradable sectors. In the case of wages, there is no evidence that they were affected by the trade reform.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Jaramillo & Jorge Tovar, 2006. "Trade And Labor Markets: Evidence From The Colombian Trade Liberalization Process," Documentos CEDE 3651, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000089:003651
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Revenga, Ana, 1997. "Employment and Wage Effects of Trade Liberalization: The Case of Mexican Manufacturing," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 15(3), pages 20-43, July.
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    5. Goldberg, Pinelopi Koujianou & Pavcnik, Nina, 2005. "Trade, wages, and the political economy of trade protection: evidence from the Colombian trade reforms," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 75-105, May.
    6. Grossman, Gene M., 1986. "Imports as a cause of injury: The case of the U.S. steel industry," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(3-4), pages 201-223, May.
    7. Jorge Tovar, 2004. "The Welfare Effects Of Trade Liberalization: Evidence From The Car Industry In Colombia," Documentos CEDE 3638, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.
    8. Jorge Saba Arbache, 2001. "Trade Liberalisation and Labor Markets in Developing Countries: Theory and Evidence," Studies in Economics 0112, School of Economics, University of Kent.
    9. Schor, Adriana, 2004. "Heterogeneous productivity response to tariff reduction. Evidence from Brazilian manufacturing firms," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(2), pages 373-396, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Juan Felipe Mejía & Leonardo-Fabio Morales & Daniel S. Medina, 2018. "Trade liberalization and its effects on labor fluidity: Evidence from Colombia," The International Trade Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(1), pages 43-75, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Labor markets; trade liberalization; development; trade policy; Colombia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F16 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Labor Market Interactions
    • J38 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Public Policy

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