How does decentralised minimum wage setting affect unemployment and informality? The case of Indonesia

10-Jul-2009

Indonesia is a very interesting case for empirically testing the impact of minimum-wage legislation on employment and informality. The country went through a process of fiscal decentralisation in 2001 that, among other things, devolved minimum-wage setting responsibilities to the provinces and local governments.

Intergenerational social mobility in European OECD countries

09-Jul-2009

The empirical estimates show that intergenerational wage persistence is relatively high in southern European countries, as well as in the United Kingdom. Likewise, intergenerational persistence in education is relatively high both in southern European countries and in Luxembourg and Ireland. By contrast, both persistence in wages and education tends to be lower in Nordic countries.

New LEED members – Australia and the Netherlands

08-Jun-2009

Australia joined the LEED Programme in January 2009. Australia is represented on the LEED Directing Committee by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relation (DEEWR).

The Netherlands joined the LEED Programme in January 2009. The Netherlands is represented on the LEED Directing Committee by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW).

Local economic and employment development policy approaches in OECD countries, a review

15-May-2009

What policy initiatives and broader development strategies could inspire policymaking in Wales and other similar old industrial regions?

With 25 policy interventions and development strategies from OECD countries, the four final reports tackle the broad issues of business productivity improvement and labour market participation, and have been made available for download.

Economic Survey of Estonia 2009: Increasing flexibility and reducing segmentation of the labour market

20-Apr-2009

In recent years, the Estonian labour market was characterized by rising employment, declining unemployment, and skill and labour shortages that contributed to large wage increases. Labour productivity grew rapidly, but the level remains low. While the aggregate labour market outcomes improved, differences persisted among ethnic groups, regions, and workers with different skill levels. As Estonia entered recession in 2008, unemployment increased from 4% in the 2nd quarter to 7.6% in the 4th quarter, and is expected to rise further in 2009 and 2010.

Invitation for Participation: ‘forumpartnerships2009’, Country Fact Sheets

30-Jan-2009

Twice before, Country Fact Sheets have been published by the OECD LEED Forum on Partnerships and Local Governance providing valuable up-to-date information on the policy framework and setting, the structures, objectives and results of area-based partnerships. In autumn 2009, “forumpartnerships2009” – Country Fact Sheets will be published again with the aim to provide an update on what has changed over the last 3 years. The Forum invite you to provide information on the partnership in your country or region.

Economic Survey of Sweden 2008: Education and youth employment

03-Dec-2008

The Swedish labour market functions well for core workers, but the inclusion of youth could be improved. The OECD Economic Survey takes an economy-wide perspective and advocates both education and labour market policy measures. In particular, vocational programmes would make youth more job-ready.

Economic Survey of Sweden 2008: Taxation and growth: what direction should Sweden take?

03-Dec-2008

In recent years, Sweden has implemented ambitious tax cuts to boost growth. Further reforms focused at the top marginal tax bracket could improve average working hours, entrepreneurship, human capital formation and retention or attraction of highly-skilled staff from abroad.