Abertura comercial: criando ou exportando empregos?

Abstract

Using the framework of the trade regime and employment literature, this paper looks at the impact of trade liberalization on the structure and level of employment in Brazil, over the 1990/96 period. The results support the argument that trade liberalization in developing countries tends to have a negative short-term impact on employment - relatively small in Brazil's case - which is more than compensated by a more labor intensive output mix and by better growth prospects, particularly due to higher productivity growth.