Across the Pacific region unemployment and underemployment are major challenges including high decent work deficits for those engaged in the industries and sectors.
Formal employment opportunities are limited because of small domestic markets, limited expansion of the private sector and particularly in the small island states, undiversified economic base. Global issues such financial/economic crisis and climate change also have a major impact on growth and livelihoods in the Pacific. Although there is limited data on employment and unemployment, there is an existence of a large subsistence sector and a growing informal economy. Women account for less than one-third of the total number formally employed, yet in rural areas women carry the greater share of providing subsistence livelihoods.
One of the major challenges of Pacific countries is providing decent and productive waged and self employment to its growing youth population. Accounting for 20 per cent of the total Pacific population and with future projections that this figure will double by 2020, it is expected that enormous strain will be put on national resources and capacities.
The Pacific Action Plan on Decent Work (PAPDW) and the Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCP) of each country highlights the significance and strategies of enhancing the quality and quantity of employment for all, including women, young people and the disabled, through growth and increased employability.