68th UN General Assembly
Tackling the Jobs Challenge
In New York this week, business, unions, and policymakers called for post-2015 discussions to first tackle the employment crisis.
“There is widespread recognition that jobs should be at the centre of the new framework of global policy goals. And people recognize that the quality of jobs and livelihoods do make a big difference for development and poverty reduction.”
With this statement, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Guy Ryder, opened “The Jobs Challenge” policy dialogue in New York on 23 September at the start of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The event, moderated by Matthew Bishop, U.S. Business Editor for The Economist, brought together a diverse panel of experts to provide ideas on how the global economy can achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development through the world of work. The panellists went on to discuss some of the biggest challenges that lie ahead in addressing global unemployment, still on the rise.
One of those challenges has been that of the slow recovery of many economies following the 2008 crisis. Ms. Nemat Shafik, Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, expressed particular concern over current projections for global growth, estimated a just 3.1 per cent this year – a figure she said is not enough to solving the problem.
“Clearly we need to be doing a lot more,” she said. “Much of the forward agenda, I think, will shift toward structural policies – which affect the structure of the economy and the structure of the labour market.”
Enhancing the productivity of employment was a common theme among the discussions and one of six principle findings of the final report from the global thematic consultations on growth and employment in the post-2015 development agenda, prepared by the ILO and UNDP.
In presenting the report, Olav Kjørven, Assistant Secretary-General for UNDP emphasized the critical nature of the agenda formulation process. “We are at a point in history where there’s an unprecedented opportunity to reset the global development agenda.” Kjørven made clear that a goal dedicated to the issue of employment should be incorporated into any new framework. “It is an opportunity we cannot miss,” he said.
The panellists also gave considerable attention to the issue of youth unemployment, which has been growing at alarming levels throughout the world. Ms. Betty Maina, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and David Arkless, ManpowerGroup’s former Global President of Corporate and Government Affairs, explained that a lack of skills corresponding to the needs and demands of employers often prevented young people from entering the labour market in her country and elsewhere.
Companies need business-friendly environments, including not only a labour force with relevant skills, but the necessary infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that protect and govern trade, said Maina.
Also on the panel was Mr. Wellington Chibebe, Deputy General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) who cautioned that policies focused on boosting aggregate growth and not the protection of workers and livelihoods could exacerbate already rising inequalities, creating negative effects on social cohesion and economic resilience.
The 68th session of the General Assembly began 23 September and includes several high-level and other special events that will help to shape deliberations over the global policy goals that will succeed the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015.
With this statement, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Guy Ryder, opened “The Jobs Challenge” policy dialogue in New York on 23 September at the start of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
 ©ILO Photo/K. Cassidy |
One of those challenges has been that of the slow recovery of many economies following the 2008 crisis. Ms. Nemat Shafik, Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, expressed particular concern over current projections for global growth, estimated a just 3.1 per cent this year – a figure she said is not enough to solving the problem.
“Clearly we need to be doing a lot more,” she said. “Much of the forward agenda, I think, will shift toward structural policies – which affect the structure of the economy and the structure of the labour market.”
Enhancing the productivity of employment was a common theme among the discussions and one of six principle findings of the final report from the global thematic consultations on growth and employment in the post-2015 development agenda, prepared by the ILO and UNDP.
In presenting the report, Olav Kjørven, Assistant Secretary-General for UNDP emphasized the critical nature of the agenda formulation process. “We are at a point in history where there’s an unprecedented opportunity to reset the global development agenda.” Kjørven made clear that a goal dedicated to the issue of employment should be incorporated into any new framework. “It is an opportunity we cannot miss,” he said.
The panellists also gave considerable attention to the issue of youth unemployment, which has been growing at alarming levels throughout the world. Ms. Betty Maina, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and David Arkless, ManpowerGroup’s former Global President of Corporate and Government Affairs, explained that a lack of skills corresponding to the needs and demands of employers often prevented young people from entering the labour market in her country and elsewhere.
Companies need business-friendly environments, including not only a labour force with relevant skills, but the necessary infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that protect and govern trade, said Maina.
Also on the panel was Mr. Wellington Chibebe, Deputy General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) who cautioned that policies focused on boosting aggregate growth and not the protection of workers and livelihoods could exacerbate already rising inequalities, creating negative effects on social cohesion and economic resilience.
The 68th session of the General Assembly began 23 September and includes several high-level and other special events that will help to shape deliberations over the global policy goals that will succeed the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015.