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Unions and Collective Bargaining in Sub-Saharan Africa: Some Insights from Quantitative Studies

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  • Uwe Jirjahn

Abstract

This article reviews quantitative research on unions and collective bargaining in Sub-Saharan Africa. It discusses the consequences of unions for wages, inequality, economic performance and employer-employee relations. The article also highlights the role of unions in society, a role that goes beyond the economic sphere. Moreover, the article discusses evidence on how the specific situation in Sub-Saharan Africa influences unionization and collective bargaining. The informal sector, ethnic divide and globalization entail serious threats to workers’ unionization. The increasing influence of China and neoliberal policy prescriptions by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are challenging factors, too.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:trr:wpaper:202501
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Africa; Industrial Relations; Political Spillover; Informal Sector; Ethnic Diversity; Globalization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • J52 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Dispute Resolution: Strikes, Arbitration, and Mediation
    • F66 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Labor
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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