İş Aramayıp Çalışmaya Hazır Olanlar ve İşsizler: İşsizlik Tanımı Genişletilmeli mi?

Abstract

In this study, we examine whether the job search criterion is appropriate for defining the unemployed in Turkey or an alternative standard such as wish to work should be used instead of the conventional criteria. For this purpose, we explore transition probabilities between different labor states particularly of those who express their will for work although they are not looking for a job. Using the four year rotational panel data from Survey of Income and Living Conditions (SILC) we test whether they form a distinct group to the officially defined unemployed or not. We reclassify the population out of labor force according to their degree of attachment to labor market as marginally attached and not attached/inactive. Evidence obtained shows that the marginally attached are a distinct group to the unemployed however we've also found that they are distinct to the not attached group as well. The latter result is stronger for women at prime age. These findings hold for one, two and three-year transitions between different labor force states over the period 2006-2009 in Turkey.