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How can one make work decent? Evidence from a trade-union led intervention in Zambia

Author

Listed:
  • Fidelis Landy
  • Mari Kangasniemi
  • Jukka Pirttilä

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the impact evaluation study of a trade-union led cooperation project in Zambia. Exploiting a unique panel dataset of individuals and firms, our study is the first attempt to assess how a training of shop stewards affects the working relationship between the union, employees and employers. We use a difference-in-difference model to estimate the impact of the efficiency of the trade union project activities on the quality of labor relations and health and safety outcomes in Zambia. The results show that the incidence of discrimination on wages and the assignment of workplace duties have decreased significantly as a result of the training. While workers might use a different avenue other than the union to address complaints on work scheduling inconsistencies, the workplace training has significantly improved the communication channels between the union and the employer on its strategies and views of the working relationship. On many outcomes, however, there was no impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Fidelis Landy & Mari Kangasniemi & Jukka Pirttilä, 2017. "How can one make work decent? Evidence from a trade-union led intervention in Zambia," Working Papers 316, Työn ja talouden tutkimus LABORE, The Labour Institute for Economic Research LABORE.
    • Handle: RePEc:pst:wpaper:316
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. George A. Akerlof & Janet L. Yellen, 1990. "The Fair Wage-Effort Hypothesis and Unemployment," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 105(2), pages 255-283.
    2. Clark, Andrew E. & Oswald, Andrew J., 1996. "Satisfaction and comparison income," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 61(3), pages 359-381, September.
    3. Mari Kangasniemi & Jukka Pirttilä, 2016. "Evaluation of development co-operation to strengthen trade unions in Zambia – a methodological approach and results from a baseline study," Working Papers 307, Työn ja talouden tutkimus LABORE, The Labour Institute for Economic Research LABORE.
    4. World Bank, 2016. "World Development Indicators 2016," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 23969.
    5. Harasty, Claire. & Kwong, Miranda. & Ronnås, Per., 2015. "Inclusive growth and productive employment in Zambia," ILO Working Papers 994886553402676, International Labour Organization.
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    Cited by:

    1. Uwe Jirjahn, 2025. "Unions and Collective Bargaining in Sub-Saharan Africa: Some Insights from Quantitative Studies," Research Papers in Economics 2025-01, University of Trier, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    labor market; developing countries; unions; regulation; decent work; difference-in-differences;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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