Why Do Workers Join Trade Unions?

Authors

  • Damiano Kulundu Manda
  • Germano Mwabu

Abstract

This paper uses data from manufacturing firms in Kenya to analyse the determinants of trade unionism. Matched worker-firm data from a recent Kenya manufacturing enterprise survey is used to estimate a reduced-form probit model of union membership. The results show that the likelihood of being a union member decreases with schooling; but is higher for full-time, married, and city employees. We conclude that Kenyan workers become union members to protect job tenure and to improve working conditions.

Keywords: trade union membership; union density; manufacturing; Kenya.

JEL Classification: J32, J51, J52  

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Published

2020-07-06

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Section

Articles