On trade policies and wage disparity in Egypt: Evidence from microeconomic data

Authors

Chahir Zaki

Document Type

Working Paper

Publication Date

2011

Abstract

This working paper assesses the extent to which trade barriers, including traditional tariff barriers, non-tariff measures, and red tape, affect wage disparity and employment in Egypt. Using a microeconomic dataset, the author assesses to what extent different trade barriers affected wage disparity and employment in Egypt. This disparity is studied in three dimensions: on gender (males vs. females), qualification (blue vs. white collar workers), and regional (urban vs. rural workers). Findings show that both non-tariff measures and red tape barriers have a higher impact than traditional tariffs on wage disparity and that women, urban workers, and blue collar workers are more affected by such barriers. Finally, when the effects of observable worker characteristics are filtered out, it turns out that wage premia are negatively affected by all trade barriers.

DOI

10.31899/pgy2.1075

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Zaki, Chahir. 2011. "On trade policies and wage disparity in Egypt: Evidence from microeconomic data," Gender and Work in the MENA Region Working Paper no. 15. Cairo: Population Council.