Workers
3.3What the syllabus asks of you
- Factors affecting an individual’s choice of occupation: wage and non-wage factors
- Wage determination: influences of the demand for labour and the supply of labour
- Wage determination: trade unions and their relative bargaining power
- Wage determination: government policy, including national minimum wage (NMW)
- Wage determination: drawing and interpretation of diagrams that illustrate the effects of: changes in demand and supply in the labour market; national minimum wages continued
- Reasons for differences in wages: reasons for differences: demand for and supply of labour; relative bargaining strengths; discrimination, e.g. male/female; government policy
- Reasons for differences in wages: how these reasons influence the wages of workers, depending on: level of skills of workers; economic sector workers operate in: primary/secondary/tertiary; discrimination between workers, e.g. male/female; whether the worker is working in the private sector or public sector
- Mobility of labour: causes of changes in the occupational and geographical mobility of labour
- Mobility of labour: consequences of changes in the occupational and geographical mobility of labour
- Division of labour: definition of division of labour (worker specialisation)
- Division of labour: advantages and disadvantages of division of labour
Read the notes first
Chapter 3: Workers
Drill this topic
Every question on Workers, untimed, marked as you go.
Make a worksheet
Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
77 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AConstruction workers earned less than public sector workers.
BConstruction workers’ wages fell relative to public sector workers.
CConstruction workers’ wages rose throughout year 2.
DPublic sector workers’ wages did not change over the period.
Mark scheme
2May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q11Show mark scheme →
Aan increase in non-wage benefits for dentists
Ban increase in the number of dentists in the labour market
Can increase in the size of the population
Dan increase in the wage rate of dentists
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3May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Aa decrease in the demand for cars made by the trade union members
Ba decrease in the productivity of workers producing cars
Can increase in the number of car workers with trade union membership
Dan increase in the capital intensity of car production
Mark scheme
4May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Athe amount of holidays in each occupation
Bthe current earnings as a lawyer
Cthe minimum wage rate
Dthe rate of income tax payable
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5Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Ain those where the work is dangerous
Bin those where there is an excess supply of labour
Cin those where workers belong to trade unions
Din those where workers need long training
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6Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
Aby expanding the market for the product
Bby increasing the cost of union membership for workers
Cby restricting the entry of workers to the industry
Dby supporting wage claims in other industries
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7Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 13 · Q1Show mark scheme →
Agreater provision of information about available jobs
Bimproved roads and communication network
Cincreased opportunities for education and training
Dstrengthened family ties and relationships
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8Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 13 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AThey have a longer period of training than worker Y.
BThey have a longer working day than worker Y.
CThey have skills that are more in demand than worker Y.
DThey have weaker bargaining power than worker Y.
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9Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 13 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Aa growth in part-time employment
Ba growth in the membership
Ca rise in the national minimum wage
Da rise in the standard of living
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10May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q1Show mark scheme →
Aincreasing entry requirements to professions
Bincreasing retraining of workers
Cintroducing job specialisation
Dintroducing subsidised transport
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11May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Agraph A
Bgraph B
Cgraph C
Dgraph D
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12May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q13Show mark scheme →
Ato negotiate workers’ contracts
Bto promote workers to more responsible jobs
Cto recruit workers for the firm
Dto supervise the workers in the firm
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13May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q27Show mark scheme →
AA computer manufacturer takes over an advertising company.
BA retail store issues its own credit card.
CA travel agent provides transport to the airport.
DA vehicle assembler reduces its range of vehicles.
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14May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q2Show mark scheme →
Aa desire to live near family and friends
Bno relevant skills
Cthe cost of travelling for work
Dunaffordable housing
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15May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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16Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
Adecrease | decrease | extend
Bdecrease | increase | contract
Cincrease | decrease | contract
Dincrease | increase | extend
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17Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Q24Show mark scheme →
AA greater percentage of workers in Switzerland work part-time than in Mexico.
BThe average worker in Switzerland is more productive than the average worker in Mexico.
CThe average worker in Switzerland pays more income tax than the average worker in Mexico.
DThe unemployment rate is higher in Switzerland than in Mexico.
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18Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 13 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Aextending the training period for nurses
Bimproving the working conditions of nurses
Cincreasing the national minimum wage
Dreducing grants for trainee nurses
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19Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 13 · Q13Show mark scheme →
AJob security and promotion prospects tend to be restricted.
BLiving costs and transport costs tend to be high.
CThere are few alternative job opportunities available.
DTrade unions negotiate nationwide wage levels.
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20Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 13 · Q14Show mark scheme →
Aadvise the workers to ask individually for a pay rise
Bnegotiate on behalf of their members to secure a pay rise
Coffer to contribute financially to a pay rise
Drequest improved working conditions
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21May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AThey are of different ages.
BThey have different levels of education.
CThey have different levels of productivity.
DThey have different levels of work experience.
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22May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AOL1
BL0L2
CL1L0
DL1L2
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23May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q24Show mark scheme →
AAll workers get paid according to their level of productivity.
BFirms may look to increase capital equipment rather than labour.
CLevels of employment become more dependent on wage differences.
DRedistribution of a firm's income rewards labour rather than owners.
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24May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
Awage rates of cleaners: fall; wage rates of nurses: rise
Bwage rates of cleaners: no change; wage rates of nurses: fall
Cwage rates of cleaners: rise; wage rates of nurses: fall
Dwage rates of cleaners: rise; wage rates of nurses: no change
Mark scheme
25Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
Abargaining power of employees
Bdiscrimination
Cgovernment policies
Dinflation
Mark scheme
26May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q13Show mark scheme →
Aa rapidly growing economy
Bhigh union membership in the industry
Clegislation limiting strike action
Dworkers are in short supply
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27May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q13Show mark scheme →
Aballoting for industrial action to prevent redundancies
Bcampaigning to raise wages of trade union members
Cinstructing workers to strike over a safety dispute
Dproviding training which raises productivity of workers
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28Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Ahigher / higher / higher
Bhigher / lower / lower
Clower / higher / higher
Dlower / higher / lower
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29Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q14Show mark scheme →
Abetter product quality
Bgreater interdependence
Chigher productivity
Dimproved resource allocation
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30Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 13 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Ahigher, higher, higher
Bhigher, lower, lower
Clower, higher, higher
Dlower, higher, lower
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31May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Q21Show mark scheme →
ACosts of employing workers are lower when there is unemployment.
BIt is more expensive to live in the area where the retail jobs are available.
CRetailing demands the same skills everywhere.
DThe geographical mobility of labour has increased.
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32Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
Awage rate of cleaners: fall; wage rate of nurses: rise
Bwage rate of cleaners: no change; wage rate of nurses: fall
Cwage rate of cleaners: rise; wage rate of nurses: fall
Dwage rate of cleaners: rise; wage rate of nurses: no change
Mark scheme
33Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
Agreater mechanisation
Bhigher labour productivity
Chigher skill levels
Dlonger training times
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34Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 13 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AEmployers are competing for labour.
BThe government sets a minimum wage of $12 per hour.
CThere is a surplus of skilled labour.
DWorkers have received unpaid training.
Mark scheme
35May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AGirls are only interested in low-wage jobs.
BGirls do not favour heavy manual work.
CGirls have fewer opportunities to complete higher education.
DIt costs more for girls to be trained as design engineers.
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36May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AOR
BOT
CRS
DRT
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37May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q7Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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38May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
Aa low price of the product that they make
Bboredom due to repetition of the same task
Chigher quality of the good
Dthe opportunity to undertake training
Mark scheme
39May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AA
BB
CC
DD
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40Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Aagreeing the minimum number to be employed on a particular job
Bdeciding on the level of a national minimum wage
Cnegotiating working hours and conditions of work
Dproviding legal advice on unfair dismissal
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41Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Adanger levels in the workplace
Bgovernment regulations
Cthe number of people willing and able to work
Dthe years of training required
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42Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 13 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Ain those where a worker is paid weekly
Bin those where a worker needs less training
Cin those where there is an excess demand for labour
Din those where work becomes less dangerous
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43Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 13 · Q15Show mark scheme →
Ahigh labour turnover
Bincreased mechanisation
Cmovement of labour between tasks
Dneed for quality control
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44May / June 2020 · Paper 11 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AYounger women earn more than older women.
BWomen's wages remain about the same between the ages of 40–50.
CIn year 2, all women were earning more than men.
DIn year 2, women were earning a higher percentage of men's wages than in year 1.
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45May / June 2020 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AYounger women earn more than older women.
BWomen's wages remain about the same between the ages of 40–50.
CIn year 2, all women were earning more than men.
DIn year 2, women were earning a higher percentage of men's wages than in year 1.
Mark scheme
46Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
ACareer opportunities are abundant.
BEarnings are related to the level of skill.
CIt may be difficult to find work locally.
DLabour supply is elastic and plentiful.
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47Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
Ahigher, higher, higher
Bhigher, lower, lower
Clower, higher, higher
Dlower, higher, lower
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48Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 13 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Abuilding more houses
Bincreased spending on re-training schemes
Cincreased total government spending
Dincreasing the information on job availability
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49Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 13 · Q11Show mark scheme →
Apre-tax (gross) income: higher; after-tax (net) income: higher; cost of living: higher
Bpre-tax (gross) income: higher; after-tax (net) income: lower; cost of living: lower
Cpre-tax (gross) income: lower; after-tax (net) income: higher; cost of living: higher
Dpre-tax (gross) income: lower; after-tax (net) income: higher; cost of living: lower
Mark scheme
50Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 13 · Q29Show mark scheme →
Afall / fall
Bfall / rise
Crise / fall
Drise / rise
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51May / June 2019 · Paper 11 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Abonus payments
Bholiday entitlement
Covertime rate
Dsalary level
Mark scheme
52May / June 2019 · Paper 11 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AAll occupations were better off in 2015 than in 1985.
BFork-lift truck drivers earned the lowest wages in 2015.
CDoctors have earned more than lawyers since 1985.
DProfessionals received higher percentage increases in income than manual workers.
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53May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
AAverage cost of production increases.
BStaff turnover is high.
CTime is saved by not moving between tasks.
DWorkers lose interest in their job.
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54May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AAll occupations were better off in 2015 than in 1985.
BFork-lift truck drivers earned the lowest wages in 2015.
CDoctors have earned more than lawyers since 1985.
DProfessionals received higher percentage increases in income than manual workers.
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55Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 13 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Aan increasing number of doctors graduate from university each year
Ban increasing number of people need health care
Cthe government spends less on the nation's health services
Dthe population becomes more aware of healthy eating
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56Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 13 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AThe demand for the product produced by the workers has an inelastic demand.
BThe economy is experiencing high unemployment.
CThe proportion of the firm's workers in the union is low.
DWage costs are a high proportion of total costs for firms in the industry.
Mark scheme
57May / June 2018 · Paper 11 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Aan increase in the fringe benefits provided to university lecturers
Ban increase in the tuition fees paid by university students
Cgovernment policies reducing the length of the training for university lecturers
Dincreased demand from students to study at university
Mark scheme
58May / June 2018 · Paper 11 · Q10Show mark scheme →
Awhen imports are increasing
Bwhen labour supply is increasing
Cwhen output is increasing
Dwhen unemployment is increasing
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59May / June 2018 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
AIncomes increase in the world's major economies.
BTerrorist attacks decrease tourist travel.
CThe cost of aviation fuel rises.
DThe world economy goes into recession.
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60May / June 2018 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
Aa decrease in the price of a close substitute for the product
Ba decrease in the qualifications needed for the job
Can increase in the number of workers
Dan increase in the profits of the industry
Mark scheme
61Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AAgricultural workers lack the necessary education and skills.
BGovernments plan to increase indirect taxes on services.
CManual workers are being replaced by machines.
DWorkers on farms have high labour mobility.
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62Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
Afewer workers will be employed
Bno change in the market equilibrium
Cno worker will be paid wage W
Dsupply of labour will exceed demand
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63Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 13 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Aa diversified engineering company
Ba general repairs handyman
Ca self-sufficient, non-trading country
Dan old person's helper and care assistant
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64Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 13 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Aairline pilots
Bfarm workers
Cnurses
Dshop assistants
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65Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 13 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AIt is difficult to measure the output per hour in each profession.
BPay in the private sector is profit-related but is not in the public sector.
CQualifications of accountants are lower than those of Professors of Finance.
DWomen are generally given preference over men in professional jobs.
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66Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 13 · Q11Show mark scheme →
Askilled, experienced, younger worker
Bskilled, inexperienced, older worker
Cunskilled, experienced, older worker
Dunskilled, inexperienced, younger worker
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67May / June 2017 · Paper 11 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Amanual building work
Bprofessional legal work
Cskilled craft work
Duniversity teaching work
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68May / June 2017 · Paper 11 · Q10Show mark scheme →
AIt will enjoy a rise in its material standard of living.
BIt will have a wider choice of goods and services.
CIt will need to use a system of barter.
DIt will save time in obtaining goods and services.
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69May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q9Show mark scheme →
Aa decrease in the industry’s sales
Ba decrease in the need for specialist training
Can increase in cheap imports of a rival product
Dan increase in wages in a similar industry
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70May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q11Show mark scheme →
AMalaysian workers are more skilled than South African workers.
BPrices in South Africa are double those in Brazil.
CSouth Africa’s labour productivity is low.
DSouth African trade union bargaining power is strong.
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71Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Aan increase in imports of a cheaper, similar product
Bthe closure of a local training college resulting in fewer potential workers
Cthe development of a new and profitable brand of the company's product
Dthe development of new techniques that increase productivity
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72Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 13 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Aa decrease in the demand for coats
Ba decrease in the number of people willing to work in the coat industry
Ca decrease in the productivity of workers making coats
Da decrease in the sale of coat exports
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73May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q8Show mark scheme →
Aarrange childcare facilities for members' children
Bensure adequate promotion prospects exist
Cnegotiate better working conditions
Dprovide medical insurance
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74May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q10Show mark scheme →
A4 million
B5 million
C6 million
D7 million
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75May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q8Show mark scheme →
AAll workers will be members of the trade union.
BEmployment will be open only to skilled workers.
CThe employers cannot make workers redundant.
DWorkers cannot move between employers.
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76May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q10Show mark scheme →
A4 million
B5 million
C6 million
D7 million
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77May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q18Show mark scheme →
Ato change from a mixed to a planned economy
Bto ensure a fairer distribution of earnings
Cto increase competition in labour markets
Dto reduce government expenditure on job training
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