Income support programs constitute an integral component of modern labour markets and represent significant fiscal commitments on the part of governments. This thesis examines two key income support programs in Canada and their impact on labour market outcomes, namely employment insurance (EI) and social assistance (SA). Together expenditures on EI and SA represented approximately 2 per cent of Canadian GDP in 1998-99 and influenced a range of labour market decisions relating to labour force participation, employment and unemployment spells. The analysis in this thesis provides new evidence on the role of the EI and SA programs on labour market outcomes by examining the interface between the programs and labour market behaviour. An analysis of the take-up of SA amongst a sample of SA eligible individuals is also undertaken that provides new evidence on the determinants of participation in the SA program in Canada. The analysis in this thesis uses the 1997 Canadian Out of Employment Panel dataset, a unique dataset that provides detailed information on the use of income support programs and employment patterns, and detailed information on a rich set of personal and household characteristics. The approach adopted in this thesis is to use a generalized probability transition model to examine the nature of the interface between income support programs and their effect on labour market outcomes. This approach allows the implications of changes in either program for use of the other program, and overall labour market outcomes, to be identified. The analysis of the SA take-up decision uses a discrete choice framework that explicitly takes account of the potential endogeneity of benefit levels available to the individual. A number of conclusions can be drawn from the analysis undertaken in this thesis. First, when the generosity of the SA program is reduced, individuals decrease use of both the SA and EI programs. Conversely, reducing the generosity of the EI program results in an increase in the use, albeit relatively small, of the SA program. The results of the analysis of the take-up decision of the SA program point to the key role of benefit levels and previous use of the program as determinants of the likelihood that an individual takes up SA. / Arts, Faculty of / Vancouver School of Economics / Graduate

The purpose of this paper is to test the effects of labor cost, openness, and demand side variables on employment for the case of Turkey using the panel data of private manufacturing industry at three digit level for 25 sectors for the period of 1973-2001. We use a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model, which allows for cross-sectoral heterogeneity. The estimation results show that higher growth is more effective in stimulating employment compared to lower labor costs. The reliance of Turkey and many developing countries on labor market flexibility and openness as the unique tools of employment policy reflects a pro-capital incomes policy bias rather than a necessity. The results confirm the Keynesian emphasis on demand-side policies to fight against unemployment. / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series

The establishment reform came into force 2010 and the employment service was given the main responsibility for the establishment of the newly arrived. The purpose of the present study was to investigate how the officers at the labor market work on establishing new arrivals with residence permit. The problem statements was labor market officers work with establishment based on their professional role and legislation, the service officers practical work, establishment in general and getting new jobs for the newly arrived in the labor market. The study used a qualitative method and semi-structured interviews were conducted with five employment service officers. The theoretical framework consisted of empowerment. The results of the study show that the establishment reform has had both positive and negative impacts. Many newly arriveds have established themselves in society and entered the labor market. The results show further that there are still aspects to change in order to improve the establishment. The study shows that the establishment reform has had a positive impact on new arrivals in the labor market. The employment officers want to work with an individualized and empowerment-oriented approach, but the heavy workload is hindering their work. / Etableringsreformen trädde i kraft 2010 och arbetsförmedlingen fick huvudansvaret för nyanländas etablering. Syftet med föreliggande studien var att undersöka hur handläggarna på arbetsförmedlingen arbetar med etablering av nyanlända med uppehållstillstånd. Frågeställningarna i studien var etableringshandläggarnas arbete med etablering utifrån sin yrkesroll och lagstiftning, etableringshandläggarnas praktiska arbete, etablering i allmänhet och för att få ut nyanlända på arbetsmarknaden. I studien användes en kvalitativ metod och semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med fem handläggare på arbetsförmedlingen. Den teoretiska ramen bestod av empowerment. Studiens resultat visar att etableringsreformen har haft både positiv- och negativ inverkan. Många nyanlända har etablerat sig i samhället och kommit ut på arbetsmarknaden. Av resultatet framkommer det vidare att det fortfarande finns aspekter kvar att ändra på för att få en ytterligare förbättring av etableringen. Studien visar att etableringsreformen har haft en positiv inverkan för de nyanlända på arbetsmarknaden. Men det råder stor arbetsbelastning för etableringshandläggarna på arbetsförmedlingen. Handläggarna vill arbeta med ett individanpassat och empowermentorienterat arbetssätt men hård arbetsbelastning utgör ett hinder för deras arbete.

This thesis deals with legal immigration in the Czech Republic. The aim is to answer the question of whether migration is always mainly economic, that is, whether the main motive for migration is economic activity in the territory, or whether there are differences between different ethnic groups. The chosen method was the comparison of economic development and migration flows in selected countries in comparison with the Czech Republic. Furthermore the subject is an analysis of the economic activities of foreigners in the labor force and flexibility of the labor market in relation to the current economical crisis. The outcome of the thesis is the fact that Ukraine and Vietnam are typical representatives of countries with economic immigration and that motives for migration from Russia are not economical. An interesting finding of this work is the fact that even a restrictive policy of the state to protect the labor market did not affect a number of citizens in foreign territory (Czech Republic), only it reduced their total employment.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to find and analyze the causes of the higher than average levels of unemployment found in the Ústí nad Labem region. Recently, there has been great pressure to decrease of level unemployment throughout the Czech Republic. However, persistent levels of long term unemployment have plagued several regions of the CR such as the Ústí nad Labem. Despite concerted attempts to address them they have remained unchanged and will thus provide a useful focus for this paper. The theoretical part of this paper provides a description and explanation of the basic terms and principles that surround the problems of unemployment, a definition of its categories, and a description of the causes and consequences of long term unemployment. In addition, the paper describes several approaches of measuring unemployment. The second chapter contains a detailed commentary of each group based on unemployment statistics and a comparison to other similar groups in other European states. Finally, this part provides a synopsis of several groups in the labor market who have traditionally not responded to policies intended to relieve chronic unemployment and looks at how this has damaged their communities. The practical part of the paper is focused on the causes of unemployment in the Ústí nad Labem region. There are many possible causes such as the transformation from a centrally planned economy to a market economy, the limitations of coal mining in the region, a higher number of Romany people, lower education levels, high rate of long-term unemployment and other causes. Data was compiled from the Czech statistics office, programs of development from the Ústí nad Labem region, the Department of Labor, as well as expert analysis focused on labor market, and personal interviews with unemployment specialists. Descriptive, comparative and analytical methods are used in this part. An additional value of this thesis is an analysis of the structurally damaged region and an analytical evaluation that can be used in the process of developing program documents which will solve interventions included in determined competence of European Social Fund.

This paper deals with the question whether the structure of the labor market in NBA is monopson or not. On the data from the NBA season 2011/12 I estimate player's marginal productivity using two stages least square model. In the first step I determine winner-loss ratio based on players' performance statistics. In the second step I use the results from the first model to predict team's revenues. This effect is controlled by other economic and social variables. Based on this model's results I determined that even though this market is not perfectly competitive, the results are not strong enough for monopson. Short player market could be described as winner-take-all market while on the market for centers there is a balance between pivots and owners and players can obtain their salary equal to their productivity. Then I discovered the superstar effect, according to which stars get bonuses to their salary against the rest of players. Finally it was found out that rookie contracts decrease players' rewards. On the market for centers the life cycle hypothesis holds.

The thesis is focused on the importance of employment policy and its application in the district of Pardubice. The theoretical part of the thesis deals with general problems in the specification of the labor market and unemployment. Concurrently, the thesis is concerned with the characteristics of employment policy in the Czech Republic and European Union. The thesis contributes through its complete overview of the formation and importance of employment policy, depending on the specific conditions of the regional labor market. The main goal of this thesis is to confirm or exclude the presumption, as to whether employment policy measures in the district of Pardubice are effective, in terms of reducing unemployment, maintaining a dynamic equilibrium in the labor market, and supporting the efficient use of labor. In the practical part of the thesis the basic characteristic of the district of Pardubice are discussed, followed by an analysis of the local labor market in the years 2006 - 2011. In the conclusion, the paper presents an evaluation of the development of employment, or rather unemployment, dependent on the implementation and expenditure of the active employment policy and how these polices could help to increase employment in this district.

Master thesis is focused on the research and comparing the level of flexibility of labor markets in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Labor market flexibility is an important instrument of economic policy, which increases employment. The aim of this thesis is the analysis of flexible forms of work in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands and comparison of non-standard working contracts in these two countries. The first part contains the explanation of theoretical approaches to labor market flexibility. The second part is a comparative and factorial analysis of Czech and Dutch labor market. During the thesis labor standards in both countries are compared, on the basis of statistical data LFS (Labour Force Servey) is made an evaluation of the level of flexibility of the labor markets in both countries, the quality of flexible working arrangements and the reasons for their use. Recommendations for economic policy of the Czech Republic are proposed on the basis of the obtained results.

The diploma thesis is focused on issues concerning employment of elderly people in the Czech Republic. The thesis contains main theoretical resources including demographic predictions. Furthermore analyzes macroeconomic context and the causes of employment development of people over fifty years old in last ten years. In last chapter there are described method of calculation of pension benefit, retirement age, revenues and expenses of pension system and its sustainability. This thesis verifies hypothesis that increasing retirement age could solve the sustainability problem of first pillar of pension system. In conclusion, the results of the research are evaluated.

In Sweden 13% of the general adult population (16-84 years), with or without hearing aids (HAs), report that they have difficulties following a conversation when more than two people are involved. This means that more than one million people in Sweden (9 500 000 inhabitants in total) report subjective hearing difficulties. Observations further indicate that that people with hearing impairment (HI) have an unfavorable position in the labor market. Individuals with HI report poorer health more frequently and estimate their own health to be worse than their normally-hearing peers. Increased unemployment, early health-related retirement and sick leaves are also more common for people with hearing loss compared to the population at large. The focus of the present thesis is employees with mild-moderate aided HI in the labor market. The research project had three general aims: 1) to develop knowledge about how HI interacts with cognitive abilities, and different types of work-related sound environments and workrelated tasks, 2) develop tests and assessment methods that allow for the analysis and assessment of perceived problems in clinical settings and 3) to develop knowledge that enables the possibility to provide recommendations of room acoustics and work-related tasks for employees with HI. Four studies were carried out. The studies presented in papers I-III are quantitative laboratory studies focusing on health related quality of life, cognition and effort and disturbance perceived in different types of occupational noise (daycare, office and traffic). Paper IV is a qualitative interview study aiming at exploring the conceptions of working life among employees with mild-moderate aided HI. The results from papers I-IV clearly demonstrate that noise has negative effects on employees with mild-moderate aided HI. In addition to generating significantly greater effort and disturbance, it is further reported from the participants that noise at work in combination with a HI has an impact on daily life. This includes a sense of exposure during work hours, physical and mental fatigue after work, and withdrawal from social situations in the work environment and leisure activities. None of the participants with HI performed significantly worse on the visual working tasks employed in this project compared to their normallyhearing peers. This thesis shows that employees with HI objectively perform the employed  working tasks at a level similar to a well-matched normally-hearing control group. Instead, the findings of this thesis indicates that working in a noisy environment with a HI occurs at the expense of this group reporting significantly worse results on subjective measurements, including greater effort and disturbance, and lower physical health status. Interviews with these participants further confirm that these effects are indeed mostly due to noise at the workplace which could have a negative impact both physically, mentally and socially during and after work hours. The main findings of this thesis demonstrate that there is a need for extensive services for employees with HI even after a HA fitting. This thesis therefore emphasizes the importance of identifying the need for assistive listening devices, examining the room acoustics of the individual’s work setting and providing the workplace with information about the consequences of having a HI in order to facilitate communication at work. The latter is especially important as colleagues showing support and employers making adjustments at the workplace (technically or acoustically) are facilitating factors that would benefit both employees with HI and those with normal hearing. Additional research should focus on including and comparing other types of cognitive tests, work-related noises and working tasks. More research is also needed to unravel the complex area of research between factors such as cognitive processes, hearing and effort. / Tidigare forskning har visat att yrkesverksamma hörselskadade oftast har en mindre gynnsam position på arbetsmarknaden. Statistik visar att gruppen upplever en högre grad av trötthet och en lägre grad av arbetstillfredställelse. Avhandlingen har tre övergripande syften: 1) att utveckla ny teoretisk kunskap om hur hörselnedsättning samspelar med kognitiva förmågor, arbetsrelaterad ljudmiljö och typ av arbetsuppgifter, och 2) utveckla test- och utredningsmetoder ger möjlighet till analys och diagnos av upplevda problem samt 3) utveckla kunskap som ger möjlighet till åtgärd och anpassning av ljudmiljöer och arbetsuppgifter på arbetsplatser för hörselskadade. Projektets resultat visar på att yrkesverksamma med hörselnedsättning rapporterar en lägre fysisk hälsostatus och att en högre grad av upplevd ansträngning samt störning kan upplevas när de utför olika arbetsuppgifter i buller. Detta beror bland annat på att de kognitiva förmågorna blir mer belastade i en bullrig miljö och att hörselskadade är mer känsliga för höga bullernivåer. Djupintervjuer med gruppen visar även på att fysisk trötthet upplevs även efter jobbet som i sin tur kan leda till psykosociala konsekvenser för individen. Denna avhandling visar att de negativa effekterna av buller redan ses vid en lätt-måttlig hörselnedsättning hos en grupp som redan använder hörapparater. Från ett kliniskt perspektiv innebär det att dagens rehabiliteringsåtgärder bör vara mer omfattande än endast hörapparaturprovning för denna grupp. Tekniska hjälpmedel (FM-system, streamers, hörslinga, etc.) är viktiga för yrkesverksamma med hörselskada och information om konsekvenserna av att leva med en hörselnedsättning bör nås ut till arbetsgivare och kollegor för att underlätta kommunikation på jobbet.