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ILO - International Labour Organization - July 8, 2011 http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/press-and-media-centre/insight/WCMS_159429/lang--en/index.htm

 

CHALLENGES IN THE ARAB WORLD - ILO RESPONSE

ISSUES AROUND DECENT WORK IN THE REGION

Main common causes identified in the ILO report for the popular uprisings that took place in several Arab countries

Popular uprisings were the result of exacerbated poverty, unemployment, inequality and exclusion, themselves being the result of a long-term deficit of democratic governance, essential freedom and social dialogue. The report shows that unemployment is certainly central to the crisis. Despite economic growth, not enough jobs were created to absorb new labour market entrants or, when they existed, they were low quality jobs, some of which have been taken by migrant labour. Youth unemployment is especially a major challenge.

Levels of unemployment stood at 9.8 per cent in North Africa and 10.1 per cent in the Middle East in the same year, with high figures especially for women (15.0 to 17.0 per cent in North Africa and the Middle East respectively, compared to a world average of 6.5 per cent).

Unemployment problems for youth

Unemployment among Arab youth is the highest in the world (23.6 per cent in North Africa and 21.1 per cent in the Middle East, compared to a world average of 12.6 per cent). Young people’s risk of unemployment is four times higher than for adults. In 2010, out of 100 people that could work, not even half of them did.

The lack of employment opportunities in the formal sector, as well as under-employment, often push people into the informal economy. The lack of high quality jobs means that more than four out of ten people working in MENA countries in 2009 had a vulnerable job.