Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/51738 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2011
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 5732
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
In the current study, we analyze the effect of having a Roma background on women's wages. By utilizing the Athens Area Study random sample (2007-08) drawn from 16 multiethnic municipalities in which Roma live, we estimate that 66.1% of the wage differential between Roma and non-Roma female workers cannot be explained by differences in observed characteristics. Prejudices against Roma women are discussed and appear to explain the wage gap found here. The occupational segregation of the Roma in low-paid jobs and employers' statistical motivations are also found to influence wages earned by Roma. This study concludes that there is a need for better implementations of existing laws, rules and regulations which would counter the discrimination of minority women in the labor market. In addition, a better means of assessing workers' skill may contribute to the reduction of wage discrimination, as well as, greater educational achievement would significantly boost the economic status of Roma women. In its use of a random Roma sample and multivariate analysis, this study is a methodological advancement over previous studies of Roma employment, and it could inspire new efforts to compare wages by Roma background.
Subjects: 
Roma
labor discrimination
Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition
taste theory
statistical theory
occupational segregation
JEL: 
J31
J71
J15
C13
C81
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
263.01 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.