J. Currie et A. Harrison, SHARING THE COSTS - THE IMPACT OF TRADE REFORM ON CAPITAL AND LABOR IN MOROCCO, Journal of labor economics, 15(3), 1997, pp. 44-71
We examine the impact of recent trade reforms. Although employment in
the average private sector manufacturing firm was unaffected, there we
re significant employment losses to exporters and highly affected firm
s. Parastatals increased employment by hiring low-paid temporary worke
rs. Many firms did not adjust wages or employment. We examine two poss
ible explanations. First, barriers to labor market mobility could have
impeded adjustment. Second, we develop a model of labor demand which
allows for imperfect competition and endogenous technological change.
Our results suggest that although labor markets were flexible, many fi
rms cut profit margins and raised productivity rather than reducing em
ployment.