Work, Risk and Health: Differences between Immigrants and Natives in Spain

39 Pages Posted: 29 Nov 2010

See all articles by Meritxell Solé

Meritxell Solé

University of Barcelona

Luis Diaz-Serrano

Rovira i Virgili University; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Marisol Rodriguez

CREB (Centre de Recerca en Economia del Benestrar), University of Barcelona

Abstract

We analyze the impact of working and contractual conditions, particularly exposure to job risks, on the probability of acquiring a disability. We postulate a model in which this impact is mediated by the choice of occupation, with a level of risk associated to it. We assume this choice is endogenous, and that it depends on preferences and opportunities in the labour market, both of which may differ between immigrants and natives. To test this hypothesis we use data from the Continuous Sample of Working Lives of the Spanish SS system. It contains individual, job and firm information of over a million workers, including a representative sample of immigrants. We find that risk exposure increases the probability of permanent disability by 5.3%; temporary employment also influences health. Migrant status – with differences among regions of origin – significantly affects both disability and the probability of being employed in a risky occupation. Most groups of immigrants work in riskier jobs, but have lower probability of becoming disabled. Nevertheless, our theoretical hypothesis that disability and risk are jointly determined is not valid for immigrants: i.e. for them working conditions is not a matter of choice in terms of health.

Keywords: disability, working conditions, immigration, Spain, MCVL

JEL Classification: J28, J61, J81

Suggested Citation

Solé, Meritxell and Diaz-Serrano, Luis and Rodriguez, Marisol, Work, Risk and Health: Differences between Immigrants and Natives in Spain. IZA Discussion Paper No. 5338, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1716133 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1716133

Meritxell Solé (Contact Author)

University of Barcelona

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585
Barcelona, 08007
Spain

Luis Diaz-Serrano

Rovira i Virgili University ( email )

Campus Sescelades, Carretera de Valls s/n
43006 Tarragona, Tarragona 43007
Spain

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Schaumburg-Lippe-Str. 7 / 9
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Marisol Rodriguez

CREB (Centre de Recerca en Economia del Benestrar), University of Barcelona ( email )

Barcelona, 08028
Spain
+34 93 403 45 38 (Phone)

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