Collective Bargaining Through the Magnifying Glass: A Comparison Between the Netherlands and Portugal

41 Pages Posted: 27 Nov 2017

See all articles by Alexander Hijzen

Alexander Hijzen

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)

Pedro S. Martins

Nova School of Business and Economics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics; Global Labor Organization (GLO)

Jante Parlevliet

De Nederlandsche Bank

Multiple version iconThere are 3 versions of this paper

Date Written: November 21, 2017

Abstract

Since the global financial crisis, sector-level bargaining has come under renewed scrutiny. While in Southern Europe, the crisis raised concerns about the role of collective bargaining as an obstacle to labour market adjustment, in Northern Europe it was perceived more favourably and, according to some, may even have helped to weather the fallout of the crisis more easily. This paper seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of sector-level bargaining systems and their role for labour market performance. We compare two countries with seemingly similar collective bargaining systems, the Netherlands and Portugal, and document a number of features that may affect labour market outcomes, including: i) the scope for flexibility at the firm or worker level within sector-level agreements; ii) the emphasis on representativeness as a criterion for extensions; iii) the effectiveness of coordination across bargaining units; and iv) pro-active government policies to enhance trust and cooperation between the social partners.

Keywords: Industrial Relations, Social Dialogue, Employment

JEL Classification: J5, P52

Suggested Citation

Hijzen, Alexander and Martins, Pedro S. and Parlevliet, Jante, Collective Bargaining Through the Magnifying Glass: A Comparison Between the Netherlands and Portugal (November 21, 2017). De Nederlandsche Bank Working Paper No. 576, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3076373 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3076373

Alexander Hijzen

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) ( email )

2 rue Andre Pascal
Paris Cedex 16, 75775
France

Pedro S. Martins

Nova School of Business and Economics ( email )

Campus de Carcavelos
Rua da Holanda, 1
Carcavelos, 2775-405
Portugal

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Global Labor Organization (GLO) ( email )

Collogne
Germany

Jante Parlevliet (Contact Author)

De Nederlandsche Bank ( email )

PO Box 98
1000 AB Amsterdam
Amsterdam, 1000 AB
Netherlands

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