%0 Report %A Chau, Nancy H. %T Sweatshop Equilibrium %D 2009 %8 2009 Aug %I Institute of Labor Economics (IZA) %C Bonn %7 IZA Discussion Paper %N 4363 %U https://www.iza.org/publications/dp4363 %X This paper presents a capability-augmented model of on the job search, in which sweatshop conditions stifle the capability of the working poor to search for a job while on the job. The augmented setting unveils a sweatshop equilibrium in an otherwise archetypal Burdett-Mortensen economy, and reconciles a number of oft noted yet perplexing features of sweatshop economies. We demonstrate existence of multiple rational expectation equilibria, graduation pathways out of sweatshops in complete absence of enforcement, and country-specific efficiency and distributional responses to competitive forces and social safety nets depending precisely on whether graduation criteria are met. %K capability deficits %K on the job search %K sweatshop equilibrium