WageIndicator Gazette 10 - March 2006

Research on Dutch dataset shows: temporary workers stay alongside till 30, then fall back 30 percent
Age seems to be a crucial variable in assessing the financial position temporary workers are in. Up to the age of 30 these workers earn as much as employees with a regular job or permanent contract. Then the decline sets in, with a gradually widening pay gap. From the age of 40 onwards wage differences between these 2 groups of employees increase sharply and stabilize around a pay gap of 30 percent less for temporary workers for equal work. One may therefore conclude that young temporary workers are doing relatively fine, while the elderly are not.

This outcome of a recent (2006) research on the Dutch WageIndicator data set may also serve as a warning: temporary work seems ok for starters and those who wish to look around on the labour market. It may even be part of a ‘young‘ life style. Respondents report less emotional, physical or psychological stress on temporary than on permanent jobs. One gets the impression of a somewhat more carefree attitude amongst young temporary workers. But those who did not find what they are looking for around the age of 30 and stick to their way of life, considerable decrease their chances to earn a decent living wage in the decades ahead. Their chances are still diminished by lesser participation in training opportunities, as well as smaller contributions to savings and pension schemes. Download.

New media deals strengthen national coalitions
Deals have been or are about to be struck with impressive magazines, Star Online in Johannesburg, El Pais from Madrid, the Märkische Zeitung in Germany, UOL in Brazil and Monster Belgium. Media partners are crucial in enlarging the scope and outreach of the national WageIndicator websites.

Task Force Equal Pay in the Netherlands
The director of the WageIndicator Foundation, Paulien Osse, is to the chair of the so-called Task Force Equal Pay, for the duration of one year. The installation of the Task Force was performed by the minister of Social Affairs De Geus on January 26. The Task Force is to help diminish unjustified pay gaps still existing in the country. From March 8 the Task Force is really on its way. The plan of action has been accorded by both employers associations and trade unions, after which it was approved by the minister. The WageIndicator data set will be used to gain a deeper insight into the persisting unequal pay phenomenon in the Netherlands. Of course - among others - the WageIndicator websites will play a role in promoting the issue of equal pay. And they will link to all checklists, tips, tests and tools that are being developed in the course of 2006 under the aegis of the Task Force.

Fresh salary checkers
There are many countries with new salary checkers. Like India, Brazil, South Africa, Spain.

Vip Pay Check
What does the jet set earn? Aren’t you at least a bit curious? What does Kofi Annan make or the Pope of our do gooder Maxima - Princess of the Netherlands? We are trying to find out and will present you with the results of our investigations in due course. For now at WageIndicator.org. In future we will publish in as many WageIndicator countries as possible.

Start multinational research on combined datasets
February 1, 2006, a formal start was made with the first international research on the combined WageIndicator datasets of 6 participating countries on 3 continents. These are Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, India and South Korea. The section on multinational enterprises in the questionnaire of these national WageIndicators is identical. It has been developed by the SCOPE team of the Erasmus University, Rotterdam. Once data intake has gathered momentum, it is quite conceivable that other national WageIndicator teams may decide to hook up. The United States and the Netherlands have already indicated their interest.

Kea Tijdens appointed professor
Kea Tijdens co-founder of the WageIndicator concept, was installed on March 3 at the Erasmus University Rotterdam as professor of Work and Employment. In her inaugural lecture professor Tijdens explored the reasons for the increased female labour force participation in the Netherlands over the past 60 years.

Whereas just after the second world war only 25 percent of women aged 15-65 participated in the labour force, in 2004 60 percent did. Professor Tijdens suggested four main reasons for this consistent long term increase:

1. fewer hours spent on household chores thanks to cheap appliances, food and clothing

2. higher educational levels, the higher the level, the more likely women take a job

3. the boom of part-time jobs from the eighties

4. growing employment in the service sectors.

Professor Tijdens played down the impact of the much heralded division of household duties between the sexes. In comparison to the four main reasons, this played only a minor role in explaining the increase in women's participation rates in the labour force. Download.

June 19-25 world conference
In June 2006 there will be a world WageIndicator conference in Amsterdam. First days of the week are more related to the European project Euroccupations. Wednesday June 22 will be dedicated to multinational research. June 23, 24, 25 is there for research exchange, web marketing, web journalism and how to create a financially sustainable WageIndicator. All 17 WageIndicator countries will attend at least a few days of the conference. New WageIndicator countries are invited.