Continuing high rates of unemployment worldwide and chronic vulnerable employment in many emerging and developing economies are still deeply affecting the world of work, warns a new International Labor Organization (ILO) report.
The final figure for unemployment in 2015 is estimated to stand at 197.1 million and in 2016 is forecast to rise by about 2.3 million to reach 199.4 million. An additional 1.1 million jobless will likely be added to the global tally in 2017, according to the ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends 2016 (WESO).
“The significant slowdown in emerging economies coupled with a sharp decline in commodity prices is having a dramatic effect on the world of work,” says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.
“Many working women and men are having to accept low paid jobs, both in emerging and developing economies and also, increasingly in developed countries. And despite a drop in the number of unemployed in some EU countries and the US, too many people are still jobless. We need to take urgent action to boost the number of decent work opportunities or we risk intensified social tensions,” he adds.
In 2015, total global unemployment stood at 197.1 million – 27 million higher than the pre-crisis level of 2007.
Emerging economies worst hit
The unemployment rate for developed economies decreased from 7.1 per cent in 2014 to 6.7 per cent in 2015. In most cases, however, these improvements were not sufficient to eliminate the jobs gap that emerged as a result of the global financial crisis.
Moreover, the employment outlook has now weakened in emerging and developing economies, notably in Brazil, China and oil-producing countries.
“The unstable economic environment associated with volatile capital flows, still dysfunctional financial markets and the shortage of global demand continue to affect enterprises and deter investment and job creation,” explains Raymond Torres, Director of the ILO Research Department.
“In addition, policy-makers need to focus more on strengthening employment policies and tackling excessive inequalities. There is much evidence that well-designed labour market and social policies are essential for boosting economic growth and addressing the jobs crisis and almost eight years after the start of the global crisis, a strengthening of that policy approach is urgently needed,” adds Torres.
The authors of the WESO also document the fact that job quality remains a major challenge. While there has been a decrease in poverty rates, the rate of decline in the number of working poor in developing economies has slowed and vulnerable employment still accounts for over 46 per cent of total employment globally, affecting nearly 1.5 billion people.
Vulnerable employment is particularly high in emerging and developing economies, hitting between half and three-quarters of the employed population in those groups of countries, respectively, with peaks in Southern Asia (74 per cent) and sub-Saharan Africa (70 per cent).
Tackling informal employment
Meanwhile, the report shows that informal employment – as a percentage of non-agricultural employment – exceeds 50 per cent in half of the developing and emerging countries with comparable data. In one-third of these countries, it affects over 65 per cent of workers.
“The lack of decent jobs leads people to turn to informal employment, which is typically characterized by low productivity, low pay and no social protection. This needs to change. Responding urgently and vigorously to the scale of the global jobs challenge is key to successful implementation of the United Nations’ newly adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” concludes Ryder.
It is not doom and gloom but the fact must be told, the worst is yet to come. Nevertheless, look to the future with enthusiasm. In time the trend could turn around and the world will once more have many jobs and smiles.
Today, the concern is as students graduate how many jobs will there be? It is bad enough already.
For those who are especially older, do not lose sight of the fact that prior to the advent of computers and then internet, jobs were plentiful. Many people would job hop. If they were dissatisfied with the present job, probably no promotion and inadequate salary and salary increase as an example, they would apply elsewhere and for a higher salary. Those days are gone.
For those who are not oblivious, this is giving you an idea of what has occurred, is occurring and may continue. Worldwide, we should not place the blame on governments. Noting how this unemployment situation commenced, we will be less prone to blame the government.
Those top big wheels knew about the computer and internet implementation prior to anyone in the workforce knowing about it. They had their plans. I could see their eyes shining as they stated, here is a good one, a big one which will generate much money for us which will make us rich and richer. Indeed, this occurred.
When the computer system was introduced, it was the biggest thing around. In order to sell their product they must have informed business enterprises that it will eventually speed up production and save them money. This occurred. They went to the big businesses first and then to the smaller businesses.
Once they purchased this system which was programmed to suit their type of business, they needed data entry clerks to key-in their information which were contained in file folders and cabinets.
Then email. This has decreased writing letters and posting them. Post Offices suffered. Some of them have since closed, increasing unemployment.
They hired personnel agencies to recruit temporary workers, paid hourly.. Once this work was complete, jobs were lost. Some secretaries, clerks, file clerks, mail clerks, telephone operators and the likes were laid off. As you are now aware, manual and/or typewriter work became less. This created massive unemployment and different job titles.
Then internet. Businesses were solicited to purchase internet space for their enterprise which will help build their business, make it look attractive and obtain business.
Today, there are new technologies and the never-ending upgrading. Enterprises as TV, telephone and internet providers also decreased staff. Today their technicians remain in their office, be it in India, Manila, Costa Rica, San Salvador and elsewhere. and help you trouble-shoot and supposedly fix the problem. In those days they would come to the home. If per chance they mention money to me, I inform them, “Do not come here – first!
Go to your box on the side of the street where you have it and check there first. Then, if you have to, come here.”
Jobs have been outsourced to foreign countries. They now get the jobs while jobs in the western world have diminished. Those enterprises care about the almighty dollars rather than building their own country and employment. While doing business with local enterprises, our personal business is now in nearly every part of the world. How patriotic are those enterprises?
If they must come to the place of residence to check on the equipment, they state up front, “If the problem is in your home, you will be charged $99.99.” They love to say that. Smart eh? How does the customer really know if the problem is in their home or not? Will they be honest about it? I wonder. Let us say, I suspect their tricks.
I personally wrote to my MP and my Provider about my dissatisfaction of this outsourcing which decreased employment in Canada.
The governments knew about it. They allowed it. Customers were the last to know. I found out months after, if not years when I read an article about it in the newspaper.
Our Providers out sourced and never told us about it. Yes! I kicked hell about it and on occasion, to this day. My complaint is loss of jobs in this country and our personal business being out there in a foreign country. I also have visions of identity theft. Do you think those enterprises care? They are all outsourcing.
The change is that a few offices in Canada were established or re-established. We can request speaking to someone in Canada. The foreign staff do not like that but we have the right to demand it.
I am amused when I telephone that enterprise and receive a recording, “Proudly serving you from Canada!”
I wonder, is this specially for me?
When I found out about this outsourcing I informed everyone I know about it. They did not know. In this multicultural society, no one would guess that those employees are speaking from a foreign country. This is how they tricked us.
Those who think the government can perform miracles and get jobs for residents, they better think again. It is not that the government does not want to but the trend is such, jobs are not being created and by enterprises as in previous years. There is a downward unemployment trend. Therefore, do not blame the government.
Study, graduate and seek employment. Study in a field that is not overcrowded so that you could obtain a job quickly. Think of how you could build your future and progress.
The Mother of God said: “Pray to understand the times we are living in. This means, morally and spiritually. It includes whatever our concern and plans also job wise.
Thank you joli…i was thinking the same thing.
hmmmm 5000 jobs in three years
What! Not one comment but it does not point to Dominica alone so the haters are quiet. We have to realise that unemployment is a global problem.
Maybe you missed the following paragraph…“In addition, policy-makers need to focus more on strengthening employment policies and tackling excessive inequalities. There is much evidence that well-designed labour market and social policies are essential for boosting economic growth and addressing the jobs crisis and almost eight years after the start of the global crisis, a strengthening of that policy approach is urgently needed,”…I sincerely hope you understand.!!! Saying that it is a global problem is not an excuse to sit back and do nothing about it. Thank you and may God bless you with the wisdom and understanding to see things from a bi-partisan perspective!
Yes try using as another scape goat. Sub Sahara, Brazil and China alone can skew and statistics that has to do with population. Unemployment in a small population like Dominica probably >20%. For the past 15 years our development strategy is called loans and grants and donations from friends. Roads and stadium built with foreign hands. Money went right back to the donors. Production and manufacturing is almost wiped out. What has the DLP done? Nothing!!! Except going around looking for every global situation to blame thier lack of development strategy and labeling Dominica an Dominicans as a poor helplessness incapable people so as to get funds. No sustainable development plan. After 15 years we would have seen the right fruits.