We argue that in labor markets with central wage bargaining wage flexibility varies systematically across the wage distribution: local wage flexibility is more relevant for the upper part of the wage distribution, and flexibility of wages negotiated under central wage bargaining affects the...

It is widely believed today, that the operation of the labour markets is influenced by institutional factors, affecting macroeconomic adjustment in response to shocks. In this way, labour market institutions affect both cyclical and long-term growth and inflation performance of an economy. The...

In this paper we examine nominal earnings flexibility in Ireland during the Great Recession. The Irish case is particularly interesting because it has been one of the countries most affected by the crisis. Using tax return data that are free of reporting error and cover the entire population of...

Regional labour markets disparities have remained stable in Romania, as it is the case in Poland. In spite a huge output decline in the first years of transition, the process of adjustment to sectoral shifts has been slow. We find a negative relationship between regional unemployment rates and...

There is considerable debate about the role of wage rigidity in explaining unemployment. Despite a large body of empirical work, no consensus has emerged on the extent of wage rigidity. Previous attempts to empirically examine wage rigidity have been hampered by small samples and measurement...

Wage developments and related policies that determine labor markets functioning and wage formation processes, are key factors with central importance in EMU. Flexibility in labor markets functioning and wage-setting aiming to nominal and real wage flexibility, has been the most important policy...

Flexibility in the labour market is important for macroeconomic stability. The Danish labour market has been highlighted as being flexible, which this study confirms using micro data from 1980 to the present. Unemployment insured workers are found to be less geographical job mobile than workers...

In this paper we analyse wage flexibility in Spain and its regional differences, departing from the estimation of wage curves. Specifically, and using as the main data source the Wage Structure Survey, we proceed to estimate for each Spanish region a wage equation, which explains observed wage...