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Commentary

Commentary

Watch exclusive video from conferences, debates and other events on labor market economics as well as reading the latest opinion pieces from IZA World of Labor authors.

October 15, 2018

Thomas Breda

Working in family firms

Family firms offer workers greater job security, but pay lower wages than non-family firms do.
October 01, 2018

Steven F. Lehrer

Should genetics shape policy?

Integrating genomic research findings in evidence-based policy offers both great potential rewards and risks for individuals and society.
September 03, 2018

Charlene Marie Kalenkoski

Minimum wages hurt young people

Policymakers should implement policies that improve labor market opportunities for youths but do not increase the cost to employers of hiring them.
August 20, 2018

Wolter Hassink

Workplace sickness absence

Absenteeism as a result of sickness and injury is costly to companies and society. What programs are effective for reducing sickness absence rates?

Women at Work Around the World

Female labor force participation is mainly driven by the value of women’s market wages versus the value of their non-market time. While women’s labor force participation has risen in many countries, rates remain quite low in some countries and regions.
Minimum wages, austerity and debt

2013 IZA prizewinner, Daniel Hamermesh, discusses topical economic issues, including minimum wage, and austerity. See his IZA World of Labor article where he examines how labor costs affect companies' demand for labor.
The importance of labor supply and the role of public policy

Richard Blundell, of University College London and IZA, explains the importance of labor supply and the role that public policy plays. His IZA World of Labor article specifically looks at the role of tax policy.