Einsteiger und Wiedereinsteiger als Verlierer des arbeits-, sozialpolitischen und ökonomischen Wandels? Eine Untersuchung zur Veränderung des Armutsrisikos spezifischer Gruppen auf dem Arbeitsmarkt zwischen 1991 und 2006

Abstract

Since the early 1990s, Germany has implemented social and labour market policies directly or indirectly aimed at the expansion of the low-wage sector. Many studies about the working poor have not shown a serious change in the material living conditions of the employed, though. This can be explained by the basic constitution of the German welfare state and labour market, which protect established employees from the effects of reforms, and consequently from a decrease of their labour market position. However, this does not apply for persons, who are not protected through previous employment. Accordingly empirical analyses on the basis of the Gsoep show that low-wage work and poverty have spread among entrants and re-entrants to the labour market. Thus, with regard to the overall development of the working poor rate, risks of these groups have increased disproportionately.