Segmentation of work in Argentina. An analysis of mobility for the post-convertibility years

Abstract

This article deals with the capacity of the activity sectors with better working conditions in order to absorb employment of subsistence in a context of reduction of the unemployment rate and growth of the argentinian economy. To this end, four segments of the workers´ mobility were analyzed. Annual transition matrices were calculated on the basis of the data obtained from the EPH (Permanent Household Survey) during the second trimesters of each year, where two periods were grouped together: 2004-2007 –characterized by the dynamic growth of employment– and 2010-2013 –a period of low creation of jobs. The results reveal that during the first period there were transitions from the micro-production segments towards the large/medium segment, but the probabilities of having access to these jobs were higher for workers belonging to the micro-productive sector. Although there is a slight upward mobility process towards jobs of higher quality, it is also observed that there is mobility from inactivity or unemployment towards subsistence activities, which extends the surplus of the working force.