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Immigration Labor and Workplace Safety

Author

Listed:
  • Bauer, Thomas K.

    (RWI)

  • Million, Andreas

    (affiliation not available)

  • Rotte, Ralph

    (RWTH Aachen University)

  • Zimmermann, Klaus F.

    (University of Bonn)

Abstract

Using standard as well as recently developed univariate and bivariate count data models, this paper analyzes the determinants of workplace accidents using a firm data set for Germany. Given the tight system of public workplace safety regulation, introduced partly as early as in 1869, and the important role of foreign labor in manufacturing, the focus is on the impact of work organization and interdependence between native and foreign workers. The empirical results indicate that there are no significant differences between natives and foreign workers regarding technological determinants of workplace accidents. However, the employment of guestworkers has a strong positive effect on the job safety of natives. The estimates imply that a 1 percent increase in the employment of guestworkers is associated with a 1.7 percent decrease of less severe accidents and a 1.3 percent decrease of severe accidents of natives. The empirical results also indicate that foreigners= representation in the work council is an important factor for increasing workplace safety for guestworkers.

Suggested Citation

  • Bauer, Thomas K. & Million, Andreas & Rotte, Ralph & Zimmermann, Klaus F., 1998. "Immigration Labor and Workplace Safety," IZA Discussion Papers 16, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
  • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16
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    File URL: https://docs.iza.org/dp16.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Mattia Filomena & Matteo Picchio & Alessia Lo Turco, 2024. "Trade exposure, immigrants and workplace injuries," Working Papers 488, Universita' Politecnica delle Marche (I), Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche e Sociali.
    2. Cristina Bellés-Obrero & Nicolau Martin Bassols & Judit Vall Castello, 2021. "Safety at work and immigration," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 34(1), pages 167-221, January.
    3. Carlos García-Serrano & Virginia Hernanz & Luis Toharia, 2010. "Mind the Gap, Please! The Effect of Temporary Help Agencies on the Consequences of Work Accidents," Journal of Labor Research, Springer, vol. 31(2), pages 162-182, June.
    4. Pia M. Orrenius & Madeline Zavodny, 2013. "Immigrants in risky occupations," Chapters, in: Amelie F. Constant & Klaus F. Zimmermann (ed.), International Handbook on the Economics of Migration, chapter 11, pages 214-226, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    5. Osea Giuntella, 2020. "Do immigrants improve the health of native workers?," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 102-102, December.
    6. Anna D’Ambrosio & Roberto Leombruni & Tiziano Razzolini, 2022. "Trading off wage for workplace safety? Gaps between immigrants and natives in Italy," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 39(3), pages 903-960, October.
    7. Dillender, Marcus & McInerney, Melissa, 2020. "The role of Mexican immigration to the United States in improved workplace safety for natives from 1980 to 2015," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    8. D’Ambrosio, Anna & Leombruni, Roberto & Razzolini, Tiziano, 2017. "Native-Migrant Differences in Trading Off Wages and Workplace Safety," IZA Discussion Papers 10523, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    9. Gabriele Mazzolini, 2014. "The economic consequences of accidents at work," DISCE - Working Papers del Dipartimento di Economia e Finanza def015, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimenti e Istituti di Scienze Economiche (DISCE).
    10. Giuntella, Osea & Mazzonna, Fabrizio, 2015. "Do immigrants improve the health of natives?," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 140-153.
    11. repec:ctc:serie1:def15 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Moral De Blas, Alfonso & Martín Román, Ángel & Rodríguez Caballero, Juan Carlos, 2010. "La antigüedad y las diferencias de esfuerzo entre trabajadores de distintas zonas geográficas: un estudio de los accidentes de trabajo/Seniority and Relative Effort Exercised by Workers from Different," Estudios de Economia Aplicada, Estudios de Economia Aplicada, vol. 28, pages 201(20á)-20, Abril.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    workplace accidence; industrial organization; labor relations; immigration; count data models;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities
    • C35 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • L60 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - General

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