dual labour market


dual labour market

the assumption that LABOUR MARKETS are systematically divided into two sectors: the primary and the secondary. The primary sector comprises relatively high-wage jobs with career prospects, while the jobs within the secondary sector lack these characteristics. The rationale for the division was that employers wished to offset the high cost of maintaining a stable, skilled core of workers by employing non-skilled workers to carry out the less central work activities on less favourable terms of employment and for less pay Alternatively, companies may subcontract the work to small firms operating in a secondary labour market in the external environment. Typically, white adult males have enjoyed better access to primary sector jobs, while women and members of ethnic minorities have been over-represented within the secondary sector.