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The effect of disability on labour market outcomes

This study estimated the effect of disability, disability type and disability grants on labour force participation, employment and wages using NIDS data from Wave 1 to Wave 4. Data was analysed as a panel to account for the effects over time. A pooled OLS, a random effects and a fixed effects model...

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Main Author: Ongere, Ruth Boyani
Other Authors: Mlatsheni, Cecil
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: School of Economics 2020
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access_status_str Open Access
author Ongere, Ruth Boyani
author2 Mlatsheni, Cecil
author_browse Mlatsheni, Cecil
Ongere, Ruth Boyani
author_facet Mlatsheni, Cecil
Ongere, Ruth Boyani
author_sort Ongere, Ruth Boyani
collection Thesis
description This study estimated the effect of disability, disability type and disability grants on labour force participation, employment and wages using NIDS data from Wave 1 to Wave 4. Data was analysed as a panel to account for the effects over time. A pooled OLS, a random effects and a fixed effects model were applied on the panel dataset to explain the effects of disability, disability type and disability grants on labour market outcomes. To determine which of these models was the most appropriate, specification tests were performed. The Hausman test revealed that the fixed effects model was the most appropriate model in explaining the panel dataset. Results from the fixed effects model indicated that disability had no effect on labour force participation and employment but had a negative effect on wages, as wages were likely to decrease by 8% after an individual became disabled. Disability grants had disincentive effects on labour supply as grant recipients were 12% less likely to participate in the labour market and 8% less likely to be employed. Disability type was found to have no effect on labour force participation, employment and wages except for individuals with sight/hearing and speech disabilities as their wages were likely to decrease by 14% after individuals developed problems with sight, hearing or speech. Results from the pooled OLS and random effects model however found significant effects of disability, disability type and disability grants on all labour market outcomes. Despite estimation biases that do not account for self-selection or the lack of correlation between unobservable characteristics and independent variables, random effects models allow for the generalization of results beyond the sample and may be of interest to policy makers. This however requires further investigation using multilevel models that correct for selection bias. This study concluded that disability had negative effects on labour market outcomes particularly on wages, demonstrating that PWDs remain economically disadvantaged. The implementation of policies that prioritize equity for PWDs in workplaces is therefore recommended.
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institution University of Cape Town (South Africa)
language eng
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license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
publishDate 2020
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spelling oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/31199 The effect of disability on labour market outcomes Ongere, Ruth Boyani Mlatsheni, Cecil Econmic Development This study estimated the effect of disability, disability type and disability grants on labour force participation, employment and wages using NIDS data from Wave 1 to Wave 4. Data was analysed as a panel to account for the effects over time. A pooled OLS, a random effects and a fixed effects model were applied on the panel dataset to explain the effects of disability, disability type and disability grants on labour market outcomes. To determine which of these models was the most appropriate, specification tests were performed. The Hausman test revealed that the fixed effects model was the most appropriate model in explaining the panel dataset. Results from the fixed effects model indicated that disability had no effect on labour force participation and employment but had a negative effect on wages, as wages were likely to decrease by 8% after an individual became disabled. Disability grants had disincentive effects on labour supply as grant recipients were 12% less likely to participate in the labour market and 8% less likely to be employed. Disability type was found to have no effect on labour force participation, employment and wages except for individuals with sight/hearing and speech disabilities as their wages were likely to decrease by 14% after individuals developed problems with sight, hearing or speech. Results from the pooled OLS and random effects model however found significant effects of disability, disability type and disability grants on all labour market outcomes. Despite estimation biases that do not account for self-selection or the lack of correlation between unobservable characteristics and independent variables, random effects models allow for the generalization of results beyond the sample and may be of interest to policy makers. This however requires further investigation using multilevel models that correct for selection bias. This study concluded that disability had negative effects on labour market outcomes particularly on wages, demonstrating that PWDs remain economically disadvantaged. The implementation of policies that prioritize equity for PWDs in workplaces is therefore recommended. 2020-02-20T10:33:44Z 2020-02-20T10:33:44Z 2019 2020-02-14T08:30:34Z Master Thesis Masters MCom http://hdl.handle.net/11427/31199 eng application/pdf School of Economics Faculty of Commerce
spellingShingle Econmic Development
Ongere, Ruth Boyani
The effect of disability on labour market outcomes
thesis_degree_str Master's
title The effect of disability on labour market outcomes
title_full The effect of disability on labour market outcomes
title_fullStr The effect of disability on labour market outcomes
title_full_unstemmed The effect of disability on labour market outcomes
title_short The effect of disability on labour market outcomes
title_sort effect of disability on labour market outcomes
topic Econmic Development
url http://hdl.handle.net/11427/31199
work_keys_str_mv AT ongereruthboyani theeffectofdisabilityonlabourmarketoutcomes
AT ongereruthboyani effectofdisabilityonlabourmarketoutcomes