The latest report into the progress towards achieving the UN’s Millenium Development Goal (MDG) with regards to ensuring the provision of productive and decent employment does little to give confidence to those suffering from unemployment.
UN goal will not be met in Sub-Sharan Africa
The report for the year 2011 shows that, with four years to go before the 2015 deadline set by the UN for the achievement of their goals, if current trends persist, the above goal will not be met in Sub-Sharan Africa before such a deadline. The report describes how there is a very large deficit in decent work in the region and it is clear that much more needs to be done to increase employment.
Vulnerable employment rate in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2009 was 76%
Perhaps more worryingly, the UN has included in its report, figures for the number of those who are employed in vulnerable employment in the region. Vulnerable employment is defined as the percentage of own account and unpaid family workers in employment, and the UN says it is characterised by informal working arrangements, lack of adequate social protection, low pay and difficult working conditions. The vulnerable employment rate in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2009 was 76%. This figure is far higher than the average for developing regions of 60% and suggests that in addition to providing more employment opportunities, the UN must also look towards providing more work which doesn’t fall under the bracket of vulnerable employment.
Heavy dependence on the agricultural sector
The importance of increasing employment in the region cannot be underestimated given its potential to provide a way out of poverty, another aim of the MDGs. Many have pointed to the heavy dependence on the agricultural sector as a source of employment in Sub-Saharan Africa as a potential problem. This is due to the heavy impact of natural disasters on agriculture, such as droughts, making employment in the sector highly vulnerable.
Solutions to the problem
Potential solutions to the problems in providing employment in the region could be solved by; a greater provision of public sector work through government financed projects, incentives for entrepreneurs, and more encouragement of product diversification. On a more basic level, it would help to provide an easier way for people to find out what jobs are available in their area, and allow them to apply for such jobs in a simple manner. It is hoped that given the iminent deadline of 2015, more will be done in these areas by the UN to help increase employment levels in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Tags: MDGs, Sub-Saharan Africa, Unemployment
