More unemployment, more families below poverty line

Employment is closely linked to human development. It is the most reliable way to distribute the fruits of development equally. Unfortunately, there is a widespread belief that joblessness is destined to become a growing problem.

The recent slowdown in job creation is the result of a long-term decline. To maintain our standard of living, we are being pushed into part-time and other temporary jobs, thus, although full-timers are working more hours than ever, at the same time more people are unemployed because a larger proportion of the population is seeking jobs. This is also happening because more full-timers are losing their jobs.

Growing unemployment and more families below the poverty line is not being caused by a growing population in our country. The single most important factor is that our economy is not growing rapidly enough to absorb new entrants to the labour market. Government is not providing opportunities for economic growth and job creation.

The shortage of jobs and the resulting poverty represent the most pressing social problems. No real progress is being made. We are facing reduced living standards and also less social security benefits and assistance.

It is not true that globalisation, competition and technology are causing this job crisis. It is true that machines are progressively replacing workers. It is true that technological development can lead to a mismatch between jobs and skills leading to higher levels of unemployment. But it is also true that technological revolutions spur the general advancement of society, give birth to new products, new needs and eventually create more jobs than they destroy.

Therefore it is not true that people are losing their jobs because of globalisation. The truth is that the government is doing nothing to introduce new systems. It is not addressing and adjusting existing programmes to respond to these challenges. New ideas and innovative measures are not being introduced.

Proper blending of new technologies in existing productive sectors can give rise to a process of industrial rejuvenation, therefore creating more job opportunities. We must promote small enterprises. We must also improve our students' skills to increase productivity, develop export-orientated markets, support and invest in the service sector, introduce an employment-orientated education system, introduce special employment programmes for vulnerable citizens and also redefine the role of the government.

Only stable, dynamic and progressive government can have affect employment. The greater the confidence in the future which the government is able to generate, the better the economy performs. This process can only be accelerated through the conscious initiative of the government. Unfortunately, the Nationalist government was and still is unable to do so.