A1 Journal article (refereed)
Decentralized wage bargaining and health (2024)


Maczulskij, T., Haapanen, M., Kauhanen, A., & Riukula, K. (2024). Decentralized wage bargaining and health. Economics and Human Biology, 55, Article 101433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ehb.2024.101433


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsMaczulskij, Terhi; Haapanen, Mika; Kauhanen, Antti; Riukula, Krista

Journal or seriesEconomics and Human Biology

ISSN1570-677X

eISSN1873-6130

Publication year2024

Publication date11/09/2024

Volume55

Article number101433

PublisherElsevier

Publication countryNetherlands

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.ehb.2024.101433

Publication open accessNot open

Publication channel open access

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/97669


Abstract

This study examines the association between decentralized wage bargaining and worker health in Finland. We utilize unique data on collective agreements matched with total population administrative data on mental health disorders and sickness absence for the 2005–2013 period. We find that decentralized wage bargaining is related to mental health among blue-collar workers. Specifically, local wage increase allowances are associated with improved mental health in firms with a high concentration of white-collar employees, whereas this association is reversed in firms where blue-collar workers predominate. No consistent links to sickness absences are observed. Further analyses indicate that higher earnings under local wage agreements may explain the observed improvement in mental health in white-collar intensive firms, whereas decreased employment could partially explain the worsened mental health in blue-collar intensive firms.


Keywordslocal bargainingoccupational healthmental well-beingwagespay risewhite-collar workersworkerspay policycollective action

Free keywordsblue-collar; collective agreements; decentralization; health; white-collar


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

VIRTA submission year2024

Preliminary JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2024-02-11 at 20:06