Decomposition of the Gender Wage Gap Using Matching: an Application for Switzerland

In this paper, we investigate the gender wage differentials for Switzerland. Using micro data from the Swiss Labour Force Survey, we apply a matching method to decompose the wage gap in Switzerland. Compared to the traditional Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition, this nonparametric technique does not require any estimation of wage equations and accounts for wage differences that can be due to differences in the support. Our estimation results show that the problem of gender differences in the supports matter in explaining wage differentials. We can interpret these differences as a form of “discrimination” which is reflected in wages because women face “barriers to the entry” in accessing certain individual characteristics that men achieve. As a consequence, accounting for these differences in gender supports may be useful in terms of policy implications in promoting more equality between men and women.discrimination, gender wage gap, matching

Women's Labour Supply after Childbirth: An Empirical Analysis for Switzerland

In this paper, I investigate employment behaviour of women one year after childbirth. Since the study is based on a sample of mothers only, a corrective method for selection into motherhood has been applied. In the empirical work, I use the family sex composition as an instrument for fertility. The primary focus of this study is to investigate the regional differences in the labour supply of women after childbirth. In Switzerland, childcare policy is an area being the responsibility of cantons and communes. There are thus considerable geographical, linguistic and cultural differences in childcare provision within the country. For instance, childcare policy is more strongly integrated at the cantonal level in the French and Italian speaking regions ("Latin part") than in the German speaking regions ("German part") where communes operate at their own discretion. The federal structure of Switzerland poses thus issues of policy coherence. The main results of this paper indicate that Latin mothers are more likely to return to work and to report more hours of work than their German counterparts. As a consequence, a more coherent and more harmonised childcare policy at the federal level should prove worthwhile. Adopting measures that increase the availability and the quality of childcare is important to promote mother's full-time and continuous employment.fertility, labour supply, selectivity, instrumental variables

Decomposition of the Gender Wage Gap Using Matching: an Application for Switzerland

In this paper, we investigate the gender wage differentials for Switzerland. Using micro data from the Swiss Labour Force Survey, we apply a matching method to decompose the wage gap in Switzerland. Compared to the traditional Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition, this nonparametric technique does not require any estimation of wage equations and accounts for wage differences that can be due to differences in the support. Our estimation results show that the problem of gender differences in the supports matter in explaining wage differentials. We can interpret these differences as a form of “discrimination” which is reflected in wages because women face “barriers to the entry” in accessing certain individual characteristics that men achieve. As a consequence, accounting for these differences in gender supports may be useful in terms of policy implications in promoting more equality between men and women

Bayesian estimation of Cox model with non-nested random effects: an application to the ratification of ILO conventions by developing countries

We use a multivariate hazard model for the analysis of data on the timing of ratifications of different conventions. The model accounts for two random effects, one at the country level and the other at the convention level. We use a semi-parametric Bayesian approach, based on the partial likelihood. Our findings confirm the results of preceding studies that ratification behaviour varies substantially across members states and conventions. Furthermore, the results yield insights on the impact of unobserved heterogeneity on the ratification process. --gibbs sampling,partial likelihood,frailties,duration analysis

Bayesian Estimation of Cox Models With Non-Nested Random Effects: An Application to the Ratification of ILO Conventions by Developing Countries

We use a multivariate hazard model for the analysis of data on the timing of ratifications of different ILO conventions by developing countries. The model accounts for two random effects, one at the country level and the other at the convention level. After investigating identification. we use a semi-parametric Bayesian approach based on the partial likelihood for the inference. Our findings confirm the results of preceding studies that ratification depends both on economic and political factors. Furthermore, the results yield insights on the impact of unobserved heterogeneity across member states and conventions on the ratification process

A Multi-Year Study of Radioactivity in Surface Air and Its Relation to Climate Variables in Belgrade, Serbia

Activities of Be-7 and Pb-210 were monitored in surface air in Belgrade, Serbia, from 2004 to 2012. The measurements were taken from two locations, in an open field of a city suburb and in the central city area. The activities were determined on HPGe detectors by standard gamma spectrometry. The Be-7 activity shows a pronounced seasonal pattern, with the maximum in spring-summer and minimum in winter, while the Pb-210 activity exhibits two maxima, in autumn and late winter. The mean monthly concentrations measured at both sites are below 9 mBq/m(3) and 1.3 mBq/m(3) for Be-7 and Pb-210, respectively. The obtained correlation of the Be-7 activity with the number of sun-spots is not statistically significant. Relations of the radionuclides activities with climate variables (precipitation, temperature, relative humidity, cloud cover, sunshine hours, and atmospheric pressure) are also investigated, but the only significant correlations are found for the Be-7 activity with temperature and sunshine hours, and the Pb-210 activity with atmospheric pressure. The maximum Be-7 and Pb-210 activities corresponding to binned total monthly precipitation data imply different modes of the radionuclide scavenging from the atmosphere. During dry periods, accumulation of the radionuclides in the atmosphere leads to their increased activities, but no correlation was found between the activities and the number of consecutive dry days

Women's Labour Supply after Childbirth: An Empirical Analysis for Switzerland

In this paper, I investigate employment behaviour of women one year after childbirth. Since the study is based on a sample of mothers only, a corrective method for selection into motherhood has been applied. In the empirical work, I use the family sex composition as an instrument for fertility. The primary focus of this study is to investigate the regional differences in the labour supply of women after childbirth. In Switzerland, childcare policy is an area being the responsibility of cantons and communes. There are thus considerable geographical, linguistic and cultural differences in childcare provision within the country. For instance, childcare policy is more strongly integrated at the cantonal level in the French and Italian speaking regions ("Latin part") than in the German speaking regions ("German part") where communes operate at their own discretion. The federal structure of Switzerland poses thus issues of policy coherence. The main results of this paper indicate that Latin mothers are more likely to return to work and to report more hours of work than their German counterparts. As a consequence, a more coherent and more harmonised childcare policy at the federal level should prove worthwhile. Adopting measures that increase the availability and the quality of childcare is important to promote mother's full-time and continuous employment

Unemployment and under-employment: the case of Switzerland

I analyze the effect of unemployment on subsequent employment history for Switzerland. Using administrative panel data from the unemployment insurance system and the social security databases, I estimate a discrete time hazard model for the exit from the different labor market states: unemployment, employment characterized by either earnings losses, gains or relatively stable earnings, and out-of-the labor force. I find that having previously experienced unemployment increases the risk of persistent unemployment. A further analysis based on personal characteristics such as gender, age, foreign citizenship and qualification permits to identify two profiles of unemployed persons. The “higher-risk ” unemployed, namely the female, foreign and less skilled workers are prone to remain trapped in bad situations or to experience employment instability. On the contrary, the male, younger and skilled workers are more likely to exit from unemployment and if they experience earnings losses, it is more for transitory periods