Can Fixed-Term Contracts Put Low Skilled Youth on a Better Career Path? Evidence from Spain
54 Pages Posted: 7 Mar 2016
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Can Fixed-Term Contracts Put Low Skilled Youth on a Better Career Path? Evidence from Spain
Can Fixed-Term Contracts Put Low Skilled Youth on a Better Career Path? Evidence from Spain
Abstract
By reducing the commitment made by employers, fixed-term contracts can help low-skilled youth find a first job. However, the long-term impact of fixed-term contracts on these workers' careers may be negative. Using Spanish social security data, we analyze the impact of a large liberalization in the regulation of fixed-term contracts in 1984. Using a cohort regression discontinuity design, we find that the reform raised the likelihood of male high-school dropouts working before age 19 by 9%. However, in the longer run, the reform reduced number of days worked (by 4.5%) and earnings (by 9%).
Keywords: temporary contracts, long-term impact, labour market career
JEL Classification: J08
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation