Last weekend the G20 Summit was held in St.
Petersburg, Russia. The two-day summit brought together leaders of developed
and emerging economies, who together account for roughly 90% of the world
economy. While the news from the G20 was better than it has been in recent
years and there was broad agreement that the world economic situation is
improving, leaders cautioned that emerging economies are showing signs of
weakness.
Petersburg, Russia. The two-day summit brought together leaders of developed
and emerging economies, who together account for roughly 90% of the world
economy. While the news from the G20 was better than it has been in recent
years and there was broad agreement that the world economic situation is
improving, leaders cautioned that emerging economies are showing signs of
weakness.
The BRIC nations (i.e. Brazil, Russia, India and
China) have long been recognized as the emerging economies to watch, with
rapidly advancing economies and increasing political clout on the world stage. But
even among the BRIC nations, the last two years have not been kind.
Unemployment and stagnant or falling incomes affect greater than half of the
workers in these countries[1].
China) have long been recognized as the emerging economies to watch, with
rapidly advancing economies and increasing political clout on the world stage. But
even among the BRIC nations, the last two years have not been kind.
Unemployment and stagnant or falling incomes affect greater than half of the
workers in these countries[1].
Leaders from the G20 have generally responded to the
economic turmoil with austerity measures aimed at cutting costs. Sadly, this
strategy also often means cutting jobs and benefits for workers. Given that employment
is a vital ingredient to social and economic progress, when the G20 leaders
note the economic situation is improving, one has to ask: for whom is it improving?
It’s certainly not improving for the legions of unemployed. Nor is it improving
for the roughly 1 in 8 people who can’t afford for basic living expenses.
economic turmoil with austerity measures aimed at cutting costs. Sadly, this
strategy also often means cutting jobs and benefits for workers. Given that employment
is a vital ingredient to social and economic progress, when the G20 leaders
note the economic situation is improving, one has to ask: for whom is it improving?
It’s certainly not improving for the legions of unemployed. Nor is it improving
for the roughly 1 in 8 people who can’t afford for basic living expenses.
Understandably enough, people around the world are
losing hope in a better future for their children. An ITUC Global Poll reveals
that a whopping 80% of people believe their government has not adequately tried
to deal with the unemployment problem. With the bank bailouts and corporate tax
breaks dominating the minds and actions of government, there’s a broad sense
that ordinary workers have been thrown under the bus, so to speak.
losing hope in a better future for their children. An ITUC Global Poll reveals
that a whopping 80% of people believe their government has not adequately tried
to deal with the unemployment problem. With the bank bailouts and corporate tax
breaks dominating the minds and actions of government, there’s a broad sense
that ordinary workers have been thrown under the bus, so to speak.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the situation
of today’s youth. With youth unemployment reaching record highs in nations
across the globe it’s not hard to see why hope is fading. The situation is
quite dire. In Greece, for example, youth unemployment currently stands at a
dismal 65%[2].
In Canada the situation isn’t as bad, but youth unemployment is roughly twice
the national average at 14.1%. And even 14.1% might be a generous reading; many
believe the real unemployment rate among youths is 19.1%[3]. Those
who work are often underemployed – filling part-time jobs that do little to
help youths plan for the future.
of today’s youth. With youth unemployment reaching record highs in nations
across the globe it’s not hard to see why hope is fading. The situation is
quite dire. In Greece, for example, youth unemployment currently stands at a
dismal 65%[2].
In Canada the situation isn’t as bad, but youth unemployment is roughly twice
the national average at 14.1%. And even 14.1% might be a generous reading; many
believe the real unemployment rate among youths is 19.1%[3]. Those
who work are often underemployed – filling part-time jobs that do little to
help youths plan for the future.
The cost of youth unemployment is great. Unemployed
or underemployed youths cannot buy houses, cars or adequately plan to start
families. All of these things would stimulate the economy and contribute to a
thriving society. The result is that a generation is being created in which
young people are demoralized and regard their own futures with fear rather than
excitement is being created.
or underemployed youths cannot buy houses, cars or adequately plan to start
families. All of these things would stimulate the economy and contribute to a
thriving society. The result is that a generation is being created in which
young people are demoralized and regard their own futures with fear rather than
excitement is being created.
So what can be done? John Evans, General Secretary
of the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD asserts that the G20 needs to
provide a “…jobs action plan that sets national employment targets and raises
sustainable aggregate demand and reduces income inequality…”[4]
of the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD asserts that the G20 needs to
provide a “…jobs action plan that sets national employment targets and raises
sustainable aggregate demand and reduces income inequality…”[4]
Simple austerity measures and a general tightening
of the collective belt are unlikely to be enough to accomplish the change
that’s needed to help today’s youth. Governments may need to provide subsidies
to stimulate youth employment. Stefano Scarpetta, Director, Employment Labour
and Social Affairs with the OECD states: “We are pushing for bold action to
stimulate job creation for young people, even unorthodox measures that you
don’t necessarily consider in normal times, like some subsidies for hiring at
companies.”[5]
of the collective belt are unlikely to be enough to accomplish the change
that’s needed to help today’s youth. Governments may need to provide subsidies
to stimulate youth employment. Stefano Scarpetta, Director, Employment Labour
and Social Affairs with the OECD states: “We are pushing for bold action to
stimulate job creation for young people, even unorthodox measures that you
don’t necessarily consider in normal times, like some subsidies for hiring at
companies.”[5]
Unions must play a major role in any plan to
stimulate jobs. Governments may need to provide subsidies in order to ensure
that youth can get a toehold in the economic sphere, but the unions are needed
to provide stability and valuable rights and benefits for the jobs created by
the subsidies. The subsidies will mean little if it allows corporations to
create a host of minimum-wage jobs that offer no benefits or meaningful
protections for workers’ rights.
stimulate jobs. Governments may need to provide subsidies in order to ensure
that youth can get a toehold in the economic sphere, but the unions are needed
to provide stability and valuable rights and benefits for the jobs created by
the subsidies. The subsidies will mean little if it allows corporations to
create a host of minimum-wage jobs that offer no benefits or meaningful
protections for workers’ rights.
Without union involvement, workers could be forced
to toil for low-wages, never getting ahead and never being able to dream of a
better future until one day the company finds a justification for cuts. This is
the only way a jobs action plan could ensure that the spectre of income inequality
is sufficiently tackled and any jobs created would not only offer long-term
sustainability but protections for the human rights of all workers. Governments
need to embrace organized labour as true social partners, planning together to
battle unemployment and restore the dignity and respect that so many workers
have had stripped or denied them by these harsh economic times.
to toil for low-wages, never getting ahead and never being able to dream of a
better future until one day the company finds a justification for cuts. This is
the only way a jobs action plan could ensure that the spectre of income inequality
is sufficiently tackled and any jobs created would not only offer long-term
sustainability but protections for the human rights of all workers. Governments
need to embrace organized labour as true social partners, planning together to
battle unemployment and restore the dignity and respect that so many workers
have had stripped or denied them by these harsh economic times.