The following is the first of a series of columns that aim to show a retired man’s perspective who lived in a very different labour world. However, with his wisdom and common sense, he can lead us to think about the future of employment.

By Juan Cruz Ferrazzani

I am retired. I live in the suburbs of a capital city in Latin America. I contemplate the region from my garden, by reading sitting next to my dogs.

I lived in a very different world, where some things were better and others were worst. I enjoy literature, music, politics and philosophy. I am not a technician. My thoughts are based on my reading, observation, on experience and on the time I have to think. I wonder about many things when I look at my grandchildren struggling to develop the careers. And I worry about my great grandchildren who will soon enter the labour market.

I believe it is correct to call things by their names. It is in fact a labour market. Clearly, supply and offer is what rules. And there is competition. It did not use to be like this.

When I was young there was a job for everyone. I remember when someone came, asking for a job, we used to think that such request should not be denied to anyone. That person wanted to work and there was work to be done. There was time to teach and to learn. We were building Latin America.

Nowadays I believe such task remains incomplete, there is a lot to be done and I do not really understand why in these lands, where there is a lot to be done, there is not work for everyone. Something I am sure about is that current problems may not be solved with solutions from the past. Sometimes, I am told that companies need workers with certain skills and that those workers are not in our countries. On the other hand, lots of young people have no jobs. Among the many questions I ask myself when sitting under the sun after lunch, there is one which frequently appears: why rulers do not work on a solution for this problem? Men must wok and, most importantly, if lifetime jobs do not exist anymore, then people must work in different jobs all the time. It is necessary that they return to their homes with the dignity that a job provides and able to educate their children so they become proper citizens. It seems simple: I would plan the development of my country, I would think what kind of country I want it to be, what sort of products and services should I offer to other countries and I would strongly prepare for that. Then I would learn that I need to work with children who currently go to school so that when they graduate, they have a job and, simultaneously, companies have workers that allow them to grow. I do believe that our countries may grow further and better if this is done.

Nowadays there is a word being used that did not exist when I was young: inclusion. Back then, something very interesting used to happen: someone poor with a job and effort achieved progress and could leave poverty behind.

Sometimes I believe politicians make things more complicated. And they do not listen the people they represent. What’s more, sometimes I think they believe they have a job and forget they are only our representatives. That angers me a bit… but I start optimistically thinking solutions right away: I do not want to be though of as grouchy old man.