Secondary Labour Market

Definition of Secondary Labour Market

The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meaning of Secondary Labour Market: Refers to those occupations which tend to be located in the most competitive areas of the economy and are more labour intensive. These occupations tend to pay lower wages, have insecure employment, be less unionized, and provide less opportunity for advancement. Typical industries are restaurant and hotel services, cashiers and retail sales. This labour market has been dominated by women and minorities, while the other market (the primary labour market) has been dominated by white males. This term was originally part of what was referred to as dual labour market theory. The term segmented labour market is now used but studies continue to find a significant dualism to the labour market and this continues to be useful for understanding women’s occupational location and their low wages relative to men. See: PRIMARY LABOUR MARKET in this legal dictionary and in the world encyclopedia of law.

Secondary Labour Market: Resources

Notes and References

• Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Secondary Labour Market. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada