The limits of workers’ share in profits

Vol. 27 No. 4 (2007)

Oct-Dec / 2007
Published March 17, 2020
PDF-Portuguese (Português (Brasil))
PDF-Portuguese (Português (Brasil))

How to Cite

Cipolla, Francisco Paulo. 2007. “The Limits of workers’ Share in Profits”. Brazilian Journal of Political Economy 27 (4):616-32. https://centrodeeconomiapolitica.org/repojs/index.php/journal/article/view/583.

The limits of workers’ share in profits

Francisco Paulo Cipolla
Professor titular da Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Economia.
Brazilian Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 27 No. 4 (2007), Oct-Dec / 2007, Pages 616-632

Abstract

The limits of workers’ share in profits. This article argues that workers´ share in profits are actually a share in extra surplus value obtained by means of more intensified labor. Cost reductions obtained by means of more intensified lean production methods cause wages to represent a smaller fraction of the product of a working day when measured at market value. The increased market rate of surplus value is the basis for workers´ shares in profits. However, as competition continuously levels out such advantages, the share in profits becomes dependent on a continuous strive to reducing costs and intensifying labor.

JEL Classification: J33.


Keywords: Labor intensity extra surplus value participation in profits