The concept of the dual labour market emerged as a significant framework for understanding labor market segmentation and inequalities in employment conditions. This theoretical construct distinguishes between two primary segments within labor markets: the primary labor market and the secondary labor market. These segments are characterized by different types of jobs, employment conditions, and opportunities for workers. The dual labor market theory provides a lens through which sociologists and economists can analyze structural inequalities, worker stratification, and the perpetuation of economic disparities.

Origins and Theoretical Foundations

The dual labor market theory gained prominence in the 1960s and 1970s through the work of scholars such as Peter Doeringer and Michael Piore. Their seminal book, Internal Labor Markets and Manpower Analysis (1971), laid the foundation for understanding how labor markets are segmented into distinct sectors with varying characteristics. The theory posits that the labor market is not a single, unified entity but rather is divided into two main segments, each with its own set