In a matching model in which the job destruction rate and the output are endogenous, we show that the presence of a binding minimum wage prompts firms to choose too risky jobs. Introducing layoff taxes therefore reduces unemployment and improves market efficiency.

In this journal Albrecht et al. (2010) assume that the planner problem is constrained by participation decisions. When this constraint is relaxed participation is too high whereas market tightness is too low. Subsidizing non-participants improves market efficiency and reduces unemployment.