Activity 3: Group Discussion on Globalization and Youth Employment

1. Activity 3: Group Discussion on Globalization and Youth Employment Group Two: Ms Olivia Diem, ITUC Mr Choi Jang-Yoon, FKTU Mr Edwin Lye, SNTUC

2. Youth Employment Problems • transition from “decent education” • to “decent” employment Indonesia >>>> Not smooth Korea >>>> Smooth Singapore >>>> Smooth

3. 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 acquired • in formal education and the application of it in the job • -most only complete Primary school education

4. Youth Employment Problems • transition from “decent education” • to “decent” employment Korea >>>> Smooth -Strong emphasis by Government and Society on Education -But create a lot of stress on students, teachers & parents -on the average, one student commit suicide everyday

5. Youth Employment Problems • transition from “decent education” • to “decent” employment Singapore >>>> Smooth -Strong emphasis by Government and Society on Education -The proportion of Resident non-student pop with Sec 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

6. Youth Employment Problems • Are the youth unemployment rate higher • than the general unemployment rate? Indonesia >>>> Yes Korea >>>> Yes Singapore >>>> Yes

7. Youth Employment Problems • Are the youth unemployment rate higher • than the general unemployment rate? Indonesia >>>> Yes General unemployment about 10+% Youth unemployment (share = 54%)

8. Youth Employment Problems • who suffers most?! Singapore >less educated young workers >unskilled young workers >income divide >digital divide

9. 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)

10. Youth Employment Problems • Are the youth unemployment rate higher • than the general unemployment rate? Singapore >>>> Yes General unemployment about 4+% Youth unemployment hovered around twice that of it

11. Youth Employment Problems • who suffers most?! Indonesia >female (pay & benefits) >rural area >less educated >unskilled worker

12. 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

13. 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)

14. 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

15. 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)

16. Cause of Youth Employment Problems • Supply Side Indonesia >Education system = needs attention, (no equal access to education, parents prefer Children 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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!

20. Cause of Youth Employment Problems • Matching Function Korea >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)

21. 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

22. 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.