The Effect of a Change in Legislation on the Wage Gap in Brazil

International Journal of Economics and Finance, Vol. 4, No. 2, February

17 Pages Posted: 8 Jun 2005 Last revised: 16 Feb 2012

See all articles by Jorge Arbache

Jorge Arbache

Development Bank of Latin America - CAF

Paulo R. A. Loureiro

University of Brasília- UnB

Date Written: April 1, 2005

Abstract

This article investigates gender wage discrimination based on a natural experiment, namely, the introduction of compulsory open exams applied in Brazil to public service job candidates as a way to prevent clientelism and nepotism. Our hypothesis is that if there is discrimination, so we should observe gender wage gap reduction after the introduction of the open exams. We find evidence in favor of this hypothesis, thus suggesting that there is discrimination against women.

Keywords: Discrimination, gender, public service, natural experiment

JEL Classification: J7

Suggested Citation

Arbache, Jorge and Loureiro, Paulo R. A., The Effect of a Change in Legislation on the Wage Gap in Brazil (April 1, 2005). International Journal of Economics and Finance, Vol. 4, No. 2, February, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=739208 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.739208

Jorge Arbache (Contact Author)

Development Bank of Latin America - CAF ( email )

Av Canaval Moreyra 380
Lima, Lima
Peru
+ 55 61 98194 4529 (Phone)

Paulo R. A. Loureiro

University of Brasília- UnB ( email )

Campus Darcy Ribeiro-Asa Norte 70362-010 - Brasil
Brasilia, DF 70362-010
Brazil

HOME PAGE: http://https://sites.google.com/site/praloureiro/

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