Academic literature on the topic 'Skilled and unskilled labour'

Using theoretical and empirical approaches, this thesis asks whether skilled and unskilled labour complement or substitute one another in production. We primarily investigate whether an increase in the proportion of workers with skills would raise or lower demand for those who remain unskilled. A secondary issue is the role of factor prices in labour demand. To study the role of factor prices, we estimate labour demand elasticities and Alien elasticities of substitution between capital and up to five occupations in South Africa. We supplement firmlevel data with household survey information and confirm theoretically that the elasticities can be estimated from a cost function under non-constant returns to scale. We show that separable disaggregated inputs can be used to find aggregate elasticities: more skilled and less skilled aggregates are p-complements, so a fall in skilled wages would lead to a rise in demand for less skilled labour. Disaggregated estimates suggest unskilled workers are p-complements with semi-skilled workers but p-substitutes with skilled/artisanal labour. We investigate the effects of a rise in skill supply on the relatively unskilled by estimating Hicks elasticities of complementarity and factor price. Aggregated estimates suggest more skilled and less skilled labour are q-complements, so an exogenous rise in the supply of skilled labour would raise demand for less skilled labour. Disaggregated estimates suggest skilled/artisanal and unskilled labour are q-complements while semi-skilled and unskilled labour are q-substitutes. The results allow for imperfectly elastic product demand and rigid wages. Using an endogenous growth model, we show technological progress is skill-biased in the South if it is in the North, resulting in rising wage inequality in developing countries. Assuming skilled and unskilled labour are perfect substitutes, we model expanded educational access as it adds relatively educated cohorts to the labour market. A rising skill composition causes accelerated skill-biased technological change and wage inequality. Relaxing the assumption of perfect substitutability, a one-off rise in skill supply only raises wage inequality if the elasticity of substitution is high, higher than existing empirical estimates.

Notre thèse porte sur le rôle de la libéralisation des échanges extérieurs dans les mutations qui ont eu lieu sur le marché du travail dans les pays en développement, cas de la Tunisie. Notre analyse se décompose en deux parties, la première étudie les fondements théoriques et leurs validations empiriques de la relation entre l’ouverture commerciale et le marché de l’emploi. La deuxième étudie les effets de l’ouverture commerciale sur le marché du travail tunisien. Nous présentons le degré d’intégration de la Tunisie dans l’économie mondiale ainsi que les différentes réformes du marché du travail qui ont eu lieu après l’adoption du programme d’ajustement structurel et la mise en œuvre des accords de libre-échange. Dans notre étude nous estimons un modèle à deux équations portant sur l’emploi et le salaire. Notre estimation se base sur deux approches, l’une à deux dimensions, temps et secteurs, et l’autre portant seulement sur le temps. Les principaux résultats sont:- Les importations et les exportations sont les variables les moins signifiantes car elles ont un effet marginal sur la demande de travail. À l’inverse, la production et l’emploi retardé sont les variables les plus explicatives et cela sans spécificité sectorielle. - La détermination du salaire réel dépend des importations et des exportations qui ont des effets différents à court ou à long terme selon le type de secteur (exportable, importable et non échangeable). Par ailleurs, l’emploi ainsi que la productivité des travailleurs qualifiés et non qualifiés sont des variables explicatives qui peuvent avoir une spécification sectorielle. Quant à la production, elle intervient différemment selon les secteurs<br>Our thesis focuses on the role of liberalization of foreign trade in the changes that have taken place in the labor market in developing countries, notably the case of Tunisia. Our analysis is divided into two parts, the first looks at the theoretical foundations of the link between trade liberalization and labor market and their empirical validation, and the second looks at the effects of trade opening on the Tunisian labor market. We present the degree of integration of Tunisia in the global economy and the various reforms of the labor market that occurred after the adoption of the structural adjustment program and the implementation of free trade agreements, particularly with the European Union. In our study we estimate a two-equation model on employment and salary. Our estimate is based on two approaches, one in two dimensions, time and sectors, and the other only looking at the time dimension. The main results may be summarized as follows:- Imports and exports are the least meaningful variables because they have a marginal effect on labor demand. Conversely, production and employment with a time lag are the more explanatory variables without sectoral specificity.- The determination of the salary level adjusted for inflation depends on imports and exports which have different effects in the short or long term depending on the sector (exportable, importable and non-tradable). Moreover, employment and productivity of skilled and unskilled workers are explanatory variables and may have a sectoral specification. As for production, it operates differently in different sectors

Over the past decades, Lesotho has been a source of, primarily, unskilled migrant labour entering South Africa, with Basotho men working on the South African mines and Basotho women restricted to domestic work. This dissertation examines the experiences of both ‘skilled’ and ‘unskilled’ Lesotho migrants currently living in South Africa. The study aims to establish those factors that are influential in prompting Lesotho citizens to leave Lesotho for South Africa. Moreover, it probes differences and similarities with regard to the work patterns encountered by skilled and unskilled workers as well as establishes the impact which migration has had on the lives of migrants. The literature tends to suggest that skilled workers face fewer restrictions and receive better treatment from management and colleagues in companies, while unskilled workers, on the other hand, may be exposed to considerable harassment, exploitation and poor treatment. This study concurs with the evidence in the literature in finding that unskilled workers are at a greater disadvantage when entering the South African labour market as compared to skilled workers. Moreover, it would appear that skilled workers are benefiting more in terms of their jobs, and in having their expectations met than unskilled workers. For the research participants in this study, xenophobia did not appear to be a serious factor, despite the fact that much public attention has been focused on the situation of foreign workers in South Africa. However, these workers from Lesotho highlighted racism as more of an obstacle than xenophobia. In addition, the study reiterates the popular findings that it is better job opportunities that remain the main motivation behind both skilled and unskilled workers migrating to South Africa with development, growth, training opportunities, mentoring, and interaction with more experienced colleagues also emerging as motivating factors. The discourse of the research participants also revealed social networks to be influential in the acquiring and maintaining of jobs. The study illustrates the relevance of ‘dependency’ theory for building understanding of the reasons why ‘skilled’ and ‘unskilled’ workers persist in migrating to South Africa. Finally, migration remains the ‘coming of age’ for Lesotho migrants, impacting positively on both their lives as well as the lives of their families. AFRIKAANS : Lesotho was tydens die afgelope paar dekades ʼn bron van ongeskoolde arbeid vir Suid-Afrika, waar manlike trekarbeiders gewoonlik in die mynwese werk en die vroulike trekarbeiders beperk is om betaalde huishoudsters te word. Hierdie dissertasie bestudeer die ervarings van ‘geskoolde’ en ‘ongeskoolde’ Lesotho trekarbeiders wat in Suid-Afrika woon. Die studie stel die faktore vas wat besluite rondom trekarbeid beïnvloed, veral díe wat die inwoners van Lesotho motiveer om hul land te verlaat om in Suid-Afrika te gaan werk. Die studie ondersoek boonop die verskille en ooreenkomste ten opsigte van werkspatrone wat geskoolde en ongeskoolde werkers teëkom. Dit stel ook vas wat die impak van trekarbeid op hierdie mense se lewens het. Die literatuur is geneig om voor te stel dat geskoolde arbeiders minder beperkinge ondervind en binne maatskappye beter behandel word deur bestuur en kollegas, terwyl ongeskoolde arbeiders aansienlike teistering en uitbuiting ervaar gepaard met swak behandeling. My studie stem ooreen met die literatuur – ek het gevind dat ongeskoolde arbeiders meer benadeel word as geskoolde arbeiders wat na Suid-Afrika migreer. Geskoolde arbeiders ervaar ook meer voordele ten opsigte van werk en hulle verwagtinge word verwesenlik. Deelnemers van hierdie navorsingsprojek het aangedui dat xenofobie nie ʼn ernstige faktoor was nie, al was daar baie publieke aandag gevestig op buitelandse arbeiders in Suid-Afrika. Vir die Lesotho arbeiders was rasisme ʼn groter struikelblok as xenofobie. Hierdie studie herhaal populêre bevindings dat daar beter werksmoontlikhede in Suid-Afrika is as in Lesotho, en dít is steeds die hoof motivering waarom geskoolde en ongeskoolde arbeiders daarheen migreer. Verdere motiverende redes was geïdentifiseer, naamlik: ontwikkeling, groei, opleidingsmoontlikhede, mentors, en interaksie met meer ervare kollegas. Die Lesotho arbeiders se besprekings het dit duidelik gemaak dat sosiale netwerke ‘n groot rol het in verband met werkwerwing en behouding daarvan. Hierdie studie illustreer die toepaslikheid van ‘afhanklikheidsteorie’ wat bydrae tot die begrip waarom geskoolde en ongeskoolde arbeiders na Suid-Afrika migreer. Laastens is migrasie steeds ʼn soort mylpaal vir Lesotho trekarbeiders en dit het ‘n positiewe impak op hul, en hul families se lewens. Copyright<br>Dissertation (MSocSci)--University of Pretoria, 2011.<br>Sociology<br>unrestricted

The topic of international skilled labour mobility has received growing attention within the field of population geography and other disciplines. This interest reflects the large growth of international skilled labour mobility, especially during the 1980s. Attention of prior research has focused on the migratory movement of managers and professionals as they radiate across the globe, recording and representing the dispersal of international investment and the overseas expansion of producers of goods and services. The research examines Scotland's participation in the international exchange of skilled labour. The research undertaken addresses the varying theoretical, conceptual and methodological approaches of prior research on international skilled labour mobility in geography, as well as in other disciplines, such as management studies and occupational psychology. In doing so, the interplay between work and non-work spheres in shaping Scottish international skilled labour mobility is highlighted, as is the differing temporal and spatial focus of existing studies. The author's research thus investigates both the economic and social contexts of Scottish international skilled labour mobility, these contexts being characterised at macro, meso and micro level. In addition, the research adopts a broader definition of skilled labour movements than prior research, and so the study discusses the place of short term business travel as well as longer term migratory movements and the relationship between them. In illustrating the economic context of Scottish international skilled labour mobility, the research outlines macro level changes in the Scottish economy and the role of foreign direct investment as a source and channel of Scottish skill exchange. In turn, the specific institutional characteristics of activities generating these labour flows are examined and related to the occupational status of mobile persons.

More employees in organisations in the built environment are beginning to suffer from ill health related to work when compared with employees in other industries. There are many reasons for this, such as: unsuitable working conditions, physical demands linked to the occupation and the high proportion of transient unskilled and semi-skilled employees. A study concerning the wellness levels of unskilled and semi-skilled employees therefore contributes to the understanding and improvement of employee health within the industry. The main objective of this study was therefore to identify the wellness levels of employees in the built environment and their perceptions of the extent to which their company provides wellness interventions or strategies. The methodological approach used in this study was within a quantitative paradigm, and a questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. The findings indicated that the employees engaged in healthy activities and that the organisation encouraged the employees to maintain healthy lifestyles. However, there were areas that required consideration. Specifically, more attention should be given to budgeting for wellness interventions, regular health screenings should take place and more attention to substance abuse is required.

A theoretical construct for examining the use of reading in composing, developed from the literature review and pilot study, was tested using audio-videotaped protocols of students composing two drafts of an essay, followed by retrospective interviews. Fifteen skilled and fifteen unskilled college writers, so designated by tests and a writing sample given by the English department, participated in the study at a rural, two-year technical college in a Sunbelt state during the 1984-85 school year. The construct for examining reading in composing included the focus of reading: word, multi-word, sentence, multi-sentence, paragraph, multi-paragraph, and draft levels; the purpose of reading: to verify, clarify, provide direction, edit, or refresh memory; the effect (or outcome) of reading: no/change or change, using Faigley and Witte's revision classification scheme to describe changes; and the amount of reading, which was a count of all occurrences of reading. The construct was useful in identifying the aspects of reading in composing. Thus, a major benefit of the study is empirical data on reading-in-composing for both skilled and unskilled writers. A profile of each group's use of reading was developed. Then a comparison of reading by the two groups was made using chi-square and percents. The findings revealed that (1) 29 of the 30 students were readers of their texts; (2) the skilled writers wrote and read twice as much as the unskilled writers did, but the proportion in both drafts was the same; (3) reading occurred within and between drafts for both groups; (4) both groups read most often at the multi-word level; (5) both groups read for all five purposes and when ranked by frequency, the order was the same for both groups; (6) the effect of reading differed significantly in the no-change/change categories with the skilled writers making more changes. Findings which were statistically significant included: the size of the corpus; the focus of reading; the difference in no-change/change decisions; and the categories of change at surface, meaning-preserving and meaning-changing levels. The study confirmed that writing is a recursive process with reading as a major component and that both skilled and unskilled writers are readers of their texts. The study revealed that protocol analysis and the Faigley and Witte classification scheme for revision can work well together. Second, the amount, focus, purpose, and effect of reading can be examined through thinking-aloud composing protocols. Third, reading is a more appropriate term than re-reading to describe the reading which occurs during the composing process.<br>Ed. D.