Drawing on different micro-level data sets, the current study constructs
a Job Quality Index (JQI) for Jordanian wage and salary workers for the
period 2000–07. Factor Analysis is utilized to compile a job quality index
based on the following four dimensions: adequate earnings; underemployment
and overemployment (which together represent adequate working
hours); and social security. The main findings of the study are as follows:
(1) The JQI appears to have improved in 2007 compared to the mid-2000s,
reaching similar levels of those prevailing in 2000.
(2) There exists a persistent gender gap in favor of male workers, whose
jobs are characterized by a higher JQI. This finding does not change
even when taking into account other intervening variables, particularly
a worker’s age. Good jobs as a percentage of total jobs held by females
appear to decline in 2007, unlike males, whose share of good jobs has
grown in the same year. Therefore, no sign of convergence in job quality
between males and females is detected.
(3) JQI varies across education levels, however, less obviously. Workers
with basic education and lower are found to obtain considerably poorer
jobs and jobs generally characterized with lower JQIs.
(4) The JQI differs across age groups. New entrants to the labor market
and workers on the verge of retirement are more likely to have lower
job quality in comparison with other workers belonging to age groups
in the middle of their work lives.
(5) The quality of jobs in agricultural activities is found to be on average
lower than other activities. On the other hand, real estate activities
tend to have higher job quality ratings than other sectors, especially in
2007.