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International trade and the position of European low-skilled labour

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  • Jansen, Marion

Abstract

This paper presents a discussion of the potential channels through which international trade affects the position of low skilled workers in the European Union. After an analysis of the European Union's trade flows showing the predominant role of intra-industry trade with other industrialised countries, the discussion focuses on the potential effects of intra-industry trade on low skilled labour. Particular attention is paid to possible interactions between trade and technological change and to the possible effects of trade on the price elasticity of labour. The paper also discusses how trade may affect incentives to invest in skills and thus a country's potential to alter the skill structure of its working force.

Suggested Citation

  • Jansen, Marion, 2000. "International trade and the position of European low-skilled labour," WTO Staff Working Papers ERAD-2000-01, World Trade Organization (WTO), Economic Research and Statistics Division.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:wtowps:erad200001
    DOI: 10.30875/38368f90-en
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    Cited by:

    1. Karen Grigoryan, 2012. "Study of the Peculiarities of Export Developments in EU Member Countries and in Armenia [Étude des particularités de l'évolution des exportations dans les pays membres de l'UE et en Arménie]," Post-Print hal-03581922, HAL.
    2. Lihong Yun, 2008. "Technical Progress and Labour Demand in Swedish Manufacturing Firms," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 8(2), pages 147-167, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Intra-industry trade; skill inequalities; investment in skills;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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