Activity 3: Group Discussion on Globalization and Youth Employment

Activity 3:Group Discussion on

Globalizationand Youth EmploymentGroup Two:Ms Olivia Diem, ITUCMr Choi Jang-Yoon, FKTUMr Edwin Lye, SNTUC

Youth Employment Problems- transition from “decent education” to “decent” employment

Indonesia >>>> Not smooth

Korea >>>> Smooth

Singapore >>>> Smooth

Youth Employment Problems- transition from “decent education” to “decent” employment

Indonesia >>>> Not smooth

-No equal access to education (boys get priority)-Educated young workers are offered low pay for jobs-Little correlation between knowledge & skills acquiredin formal education and the application of it in the job-most only complete Primary school education

Youth Employment Problems- transition from “decent education” to “decent” employment

Korea >>>> Smooth

-Strong emphasis by Government and Societyon Education-But create a lot of stress on students, teachers & parents-on the average, one student commit suicide everyday

Youth Employment Problems- transition from “decent education” to “decent” employment

Singapore >>>> Smooth

-Strong emphasis by Government and Societyon Education-The proportion of Resident non-student pop withSec or higher qualification (15-24 age category) rose from 30.3% in 1980 to 84.7% in 2000 -Increasing levels of stress similar to Korea

Youth Employment Problems- Are the youth unemployment rate higher than the general unemployment rate?

Indonesia >>>> Yes

Korea >>>> Yes

Singapore >>>> Yes

Youth Employment Problems- Are the youth unemployment rate higher than the general unemployment rate?

Indonesia >>>> Yes

General unemployment about 10+%Youth unemployment (share = 54%)

Youth Employment Problems- who suffers most?!

Singapore>less educated young workers>unskilled young workers>income divide>digital divide

Youth Employment Problems- Are the youth unemployment rate higher than the general unemployment rate?

Korea >>>> Yes

General unemployment about 4+%Youth unemployment 9.8%(about twice that of general unemployment)

Youth Employment Problems- Are the youth unemployment rate higher than the general unemployment rate?

Singapore >>>> Yes

General unemployment about 4+%Youth unemployment hovered aroundtwice that of it

Youth Employment Problems- who suffers most?!

Indonesia>female (pay & benefits)>rural area>less educated>unskilled worker

Youth Employment Problems- who suffers most?!

Korea>fresh graduates (taken advantage of by employers – task & pay)>low skilled young workers>female (promotion, sexual harassment)>less educated workers

Cause of Youth Employment Problems- Demand Side

Indonesia>not enough job creation (public & private)>ICT not well developed>there are many small biz start-ups but corruption affects their performance (govt is changing the various policies to address this, autonomy is given to each province to manage)

Cause of Youth Employment Problems- Demand Side

Korea>ICT = ok >Not enough job creation (public & private)>Many employees dream to have their own biz, in fact many of them do biz part-time

Cause of Youth Employment Problems- Demand Side

Singapore>ICT = ok>Not enough biz start-ups>Wage are high relative to productivity(cut in CPF from 36% to 33% wef Oct 2003)>Public sector (told to watch headcount in recent budget debate, cuts for entry level)

Cause of Youth Employment Problems- Supply Side

Indonesia>Education system = needs attention, (no equal access to education, parents preferChildren to work vs study)>there are vocational training centres(but the quality of some are questionable)>young workers do have aspirations>guidance/counseling is available in schs

Cause of Youth Employment Problems- Supply Side

Korea>Education System = Good! BUT stressful!>many private training centres>young workers do have aspirations>guidance/counseling is available in schs>new trend, internet career guidance & job search

Cause of Youth Employment Problems- Supply Side

Singapore>Education System = Good! BUT stressful!(min sec edn 30.3% in 1980, 2000 = 84.7%)>vocational training is structured & done at Institute of Technical education (ITE)>guidance/counseling is available in schs

Cause of Youth Employment Problems- Matching Function

Indonesia>there is a govt employment services>private employment services = many but not enough jobs and opportunities>poor prediction of sectors with skill shortage>there is a channel of communication for workers BUT the voice is weak!

Cause of Youth Employment Problems- Matching FunctionKorea>only a few public employment service>many private employment services (abt 80% job seekers get jobs through them) >poor prediction of sectors with skill shortage>there is tripartite committee but lack of trust!>there is a skills certification but stressful for workers…maybe too many (some workers get cheated of their money)

Cause of Youth Employment Problems- Matching Function

Singapore>Recently - Work Development Agency >there are private employment services >SNTUC JobLink>firm believe in tripartite relationship>labour movement is involved in policy making process>recent – efforts in skills certification

Cause of Youth Employment Problems- Who should take the responsibilities?

At the end of the day, we feel that all parties(govt, employers, trade unions, workers…etc) should take responsibility for areas within their span of control.