The main interest focus of this paper is the relation between international trade and the labour market, with an emphasis on the unemployment rate, and the allocation of workers among sectors. A general trade equilibrium model with three sectors is constructed for a less developed country. An informal and un-tradable sector is characterised by flexible wages, while the other two sectors are tradable, export and import sectors. The model imposes a binding minimum wage on unskilled labour and wage distortions on skilled labour. Comparative statics are used to analyse the effects on the labour market of an open economy, a rise in the minimum wage and a positive productivity shock in the export sector.

Attention processes are essential in athletic performance. Competition in combat sports requires high levels of attention, concentration and self-control. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in attention test performance among three groups of athletes from different disciplines of martial arts (judo, taekwondo and kung-fu). Twenty athletes with at least one year of experience in their respective sport were included in the study. The Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) was performed, and data for the standard and Z scores of the quarters, halves and totals of each variable were analysed. The kung-fu athletes showed better inhibition response than the judo and taekwondo athletes. Minor performance deterioration during the impulsivity test was identified in kung-fu athletes compared with taekwondo and judo athletes. Judo athletes showed higher variability in reaction times than kung-fu athletes. Our study suggests that kung-fu training improved attention skills more than the other two disciplines. This effect can be explained by the athletes’ dedication to kung-fu training and the sport’s promotion of discipline, self-control and meditation.