Résumés
Abstract
This paper investigates the earnings gap between Black and White workers in the Canadian economy using 2006 Canadian Census data. Several studies have examined visible minority earnings in Canada (e.g., Hou and Coulombe, 2010; Pendakur and Pendakur, 2011; Yap and Konrad, 2009). Recent research consistently finds that Black workers face one of the largest earnings gaps amongst ethnic groups in Canada (Pendakur and Pendakur, 2002, 2007; Hou and Coulombe, 2010). Nonetheless, the literature lacks an investigation of the combined impact of wage discrimination and occupational segregation on the earnings gap faced by Black workers in the Canadian labour market.
Howland and Sakellariou (1993) as well as Hou and Coulombe (2010) highlighted the importance of occupational attainment differences in labour market outcomes. Consequently, this research suggests the need for occupational attainment to be incorporated into models investigating earnings gaps. We address the gap in the literature by utilizing the decomposition method developed by Brown, Moon and Zoloth (1980). This BMZ method extends the traditional earnings decomposition methods advanced by Blinder (1973) and Oaxaca (1973) by also identifying the role played by occupational differences. Specifically, the BMZ method estimates the portion of the earnings gap attributable to differences in productive endowments and to unexplained factors (i.e., the traditional decomposition approach) as well as extending the traditional approach by providing a calculation of the portion of the earnings gap explained by occupational attainment differences.
The study finds that approximately one-fifth of the Black-White earnings gap (equaling $2,600) can be attributed to productivity-related endowment differences. Furthermore, the remaining four-fifths of the earnings gap (equaling $9,800) is attributable at the upper-bound level to occupational segregation and wage discrimination. In aggregate, the estimates of occupational segregation and wage discrimination translate into annual earnings losses of approximately $1.5 billion for full-time full-year Black workers in the Canadian workforce.
Keywords:
- wage differentials,
- inequality,
- occupational attainment,
- visible minorities,
- Canada
Résumé
Cet article examine les écarts de revenus entre travailleuses et travailleurs de race blanche et noire dans l’économie canadienne selon les données du recensement de 2006. Plusieurs études se sont intéressées aux revenus des minorités visibles au Canada (e.g. Hou et Coulombe, 2010; Pendakur et Pendakur, 2011; Yap et Konrad, 2009). La recherche récente rapporte de façon constante que les travailleuses et travailleurs de race noire affichent le plus grand écart de revenus parmi les groupes ethniques au Canada (Pendakur et Pendkur, 2002, 2007; Hou et Coulombe, 2010). Toutefois il manque à la littérature empirique l’étude de l’effet combiné de la discrimination salariale et de la ségrégation professionnelle sur les écarts de revenus des travailleurs de race noire sur le marché du travail canadien.
Howland et Sakellariou (1993) tout comme Hou et Coulombe (2010) ont montré l’importance des différences dans les niveaux d’atteinte professionnelle sur le marché du travail. En conséquence la présente recherche retient le besoin d’incorporer le niveau d’atteinte professionnelle dans les modèles d’études des écarts de revenus. Nous retenons comme mesure de l’écart la méthode de décomposition développées par Brown et Zoloth (1980). Cette méthode que nous appellerons BMZ est une extension des méthodes de décomposition proposées par Blinder (1973) et par Oaxaca (1973) en y ajoutant explicitement le rôle joué par les différences d’atteinte professionnelle. Spécifiquement, la méthode BMZ mesure la part de l’écart de revenus attribuable à des différences de caractéristiques en lien avec la productivité des individus et à des facteurs inexpliqués (i.e., l’approche traditionnelle de décomposition) tout en étendant l’approche traditionnelle pour permettre le calcul de la part de l’écart de revenus expliquée par les différences d’atteinte professionnelle.
L’étude établit qu’environ le cinquième de l’écart de revenus entre Blancs et Noirs (soit un montant de 2 600 $) peut être attribué aux différences de caractéristiques en lien avec la productivité des individus. Ensuite, les quatre cinquièmes restants de l’écart de revenus (soit un montant de 9 800 $) serait attribuable au niveau de leur limite supérieure à la ségrégation professionnelle et à la discrimination salariale. Au niveau agrégé, les estimations de l’effet de la ségrégation professionnelle et de la discrimination salariale se traduisent par un manque à gagner d’environ 1,5 milliard de dollars pour l’ensemble des travailleuses et travailleurs noirs travaillant toute l’année et à temps complet dans la main-d’oeuvre canadienne.
Mots-clés :
- écarts salariaux,
- inégalité,
- niveau d'atteinte professionnelle,
- minorités visibles,
- Canada
Resumen
Este artículo examina las diferencias de ingreso entre los trabajadores y trabajadoras de raza blanca y negra en la economía canadiense según los datos del censo de 2006. Varios estudios se han interesado a los ingresos de las minorías visibles en Canadá (Hou y Coulombe, 2010; Pendakur y Pendakur, 2011; Yap y Konrad, 2009). La investigación reciente reporta de manera constante que los trabajadores y trabajadoras de raza negra muestran la mayor diferencia de ingreso entre los grupos étnicos en Canadá (Pendakur y Pendakur, 2002, 2007); Hou y Coulombe, 2010). Falta sin embargo en la literatura empírica el estudio del efecto combinado de la discriminación salarial y de la segregación profesional sobre las diferencias de ingreso de los trabajadores de raza negra en el mercado de trabajo canadiense.
Howland y Sakellariou (1993), así como Hou y Coulombe (2010), han mostrado la importancia de las diferencias en los niveles de logro profesional en el mercado de trabajo. Por consecuencia, la presente investigación retiene la necesidad de incorporar el nivel de logro profesional en los modelos de estudios de las diferencias de ingresos. Se retiene como medida de la diferencia el método de descomposición desarrollado por Brown y Zoloth (1980). Este método que nosotros llamaremos BMZ es una extensión de los métodos de descomposición propuestos por Blinder (1973) y por Oaxaca (1973) al cual agregamos explícitamente el rol jugado por las diferencias en el logro profesional. Específicamente, el método BMZ mide la parte de la diferencia de ingresos atribuible a las diferencias de características en vinculo con la productividad de los individuos y a los factores inexplicados (el enfoque tradicional de la descomposición) al mismo tiempo que se amplía el enfoque tradicional para permitir el cálculo de la parte de la diferencia de ingresos explicada por las diferencias de logro profesional.
El estudio establece que aproximadamente la quinta parte de la diferencia de ingresos entre blancos y negros (o sea un monto de 2600$) puede ser atribuido a las diferencias de características en vinculo con la productividad de los individuos. Los otros cuatro quintos de la diferencia d ingresos (o sea un monto de 9800$) sería atribuible al nivel de su límite superior a la segregación profesional y a la discriminación salarial. A nivel agregado, las estimaciones del efecto de la segregación profesional y de la discriminación salarial se traducen por una pérdida de ingreso de cerca de 1.5 billones de dólares para el conjunto de trabajadores y trabajadoras negros que trabajan todo el ano y a tiempo completo que hacen parte de la mano de obra canadiense.
Palabras clave:
- diferencias salariales,
- desigualdad,
- nivel de logro profesional,
- minorías visibles,
- Canadá
Parties annexes
References
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