Wage inequality between economic sectors in the post-neoliberal Argentina: an explanation through its limits of variation

Abstract

This article looks at the basics of the wage gap between industries in Argentina for the period 2003-2012. As theoretical starting point, we propose an analysis that integrates economic processes -profitability, firm size, proportion of fixed capital on variable- and political processes–social struggle and collective bargaining mediated by the state-, in order to study the limits variation of wages in different industries holistically. The interaction of these dimensions, which grouped into categories of upper limit and lower limit of wage variation, leaves some relevant results. In sectors with the greatest ability to pay of companies and higher union action of workers, wages exhibit high levels, and vice versa. Additionally, where the limits express differential constraints, it is necessary to take into account the size of each.