This concept, developed during the first half of the 19th century by Alexis de Tocqueville is key to broaden the ...
This concept, developed during the first half of the 19th century by Alexis de Tocqueville is key to broaden the capacity of choice and to build inclusive labour markets in the 21st century
By Martín Padulla for stafffingamericalatina
Guy Ryder, General Director of the International Labour Organization, took part of work session on inclusive growth during the G20 summit that was developed in the Turkish tourist location of Antalya.
During his lecture, he stated that much of the increase in inequality has arisen in the labour market itself, “through stagnant wages, increasing job insecurity and increases in involuntary temporary and involuntary part-time work.”
Undoubtedly, one part of his statement is based on aspects linked to the global economy and the creation of jobs. The other part refers to the concept of will. Will brings us back again to the concept of freedom. Are we talking about the concept of forced labour? Are we referring to illegal unregistered labour? Is it about the time dedicated to a specific task? What are the options to those formal jobs? Is it a warning about the deficient control of compliance?
Immanuel Kant used to say that man has one foot stepping on freedom and the other on need. Man must constantly struggle for freedom.
Being free is abiding by the rules. A first and clear division of the labour market in our region is the following: there is formal labour (legal) and informal labour (illegal). Informality rates demonstrate that the controls applied to ensure the compliance of the regulatory frameworks are not efficient.
Human beings have an essential skill: making their own choices. This skill is called freewill. Clearly, freewill is conditioned by time and space. Nobody can make a decision on something that has already happened. One can make decisions on alternatives he or she knows in a particular moment.
Alexis de Tocqueville, the French thinker who preceded classic sociology used to say that freedom is only possible in diversity (of conditions, situations, capacities…).
Choices are restricted when you have less skills or when your abilities are outdated. However, they do not disappear. When it comes to labour markets, the more formal options there are, the more chances people have to avoid choosing an informal alternative. The heart of the matter comes up from the immediate analysis: there is a need to promote our people’s skills, update their competences so that they can have more tools to fight for freedom, for their own freedom, for their own wishes.
Promoting entrepreneurship, creating a better business environment, encouraging innovation, enhancing the creation of real work and establishing a diversity of contracts within the labour market are basic milestones to reach economic and social progress.
The so called non standards contracts, which include temporary or part-time contracts, provide formal employment opportunities that enable workers to move away from informality and unemployment. These contracts are another option to make a choice within the law. Valid options for volatile economic cycles.
If we manage to combine different alternatives and training based on demand, individuals should be able to make a better use of available options. In our region there is vast evidence that shows that we have a scarcity of talent quality and rigid labour markets. The Southern Hemisphere must focus on employability, on lowering the current gap there is between existing skills and the skills the labour market demands. Our region must also update its regulatory frameworks to the 21st century.
The paradox is that in several countries around the world private employment agencies work strongly together with public employment services training people to satisfy the demand during transitions. ILO’s convention 181 promotes public-private articulation that results in the growth of human capital and in more inclusive labour markets. In addition in our countries and in other nations around the world alike, these companies are the entrance door to formal labour markets for young people and vulnerable groups.
Maybe we should focus on making sure there are diverse labour contracts that include three basic rights: workers’ rights, tax collection for governments and management tools so that companies may grow.
Leaving no room for erroneous interpretations, Ryder pointed out the importance of “improving employment opportunities – and outcomes – for vulnerable groups in the labour market, particularly for youth at the greatest risk of being permanently left behind due to their low skills.” Clearly, this is the main challenge: we must work on employability and create decent work to beat informality and unemployment.
About Martin Padulla
Managing Director of staffingamericalatina. Martin Padulla is Sociologist (USAL), MBA (UCA) and labour markets expert. He published “Flexible Work in South America” and “Regulatory framework for private employment agencies in Latin America” two books about the new realities of work in Latin America.
mpadulla@staffingamericalatina.com
About staffingamericalatina
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