1. Discrimination and Favouritism Among Workers: Union Membership and Ethnic Identity
- Author:
- Chiara Ravetti, Mare Sarr, Tim Swanson, and Daniel Munene
- Publication Date:
- 10-2017
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Centre for International Environmental Studies, The Graduate Institute (IHEID)
- Abstract:
- This paper analyses how labour institutions and ethnic identity shape favouritism and discrimination among workers. We conduct an experiment with union and non-union South African mineworkers from various ethnicities. We examine in-group and out-group behaviour, emphasizing the relative ranking of these groups and their interaction. We find that unions create both in-group and out-group favouritism towards co-ethnic members and members of ethnic majorities. This favouritism is however undermined by unionised subcontract workers who experience precarious conditions. Furthermore, union members discriminate against non-unionised ethnic minorities. Finally, non-union members (primarily subcontract workers) discriminate against union members, particularly after negative shocks.
- Topic:
- Ethnicity, Discrimination, Mining, Labor Market, and Trade Unions
- Political Geography:
- Africa and South Africa