Low-income countries may be left behind without action on jobs: ILO
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Low-income countries in Africa and the Arab region are unlikely to recover to pre-pandemic levels of unemployment this year.
PHOTO: REUTERS
BERLIN – A global employment divide between high-income and low-income countries is worsening as rising debt levels hit developing nations disproportionately, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said on Wednesday.
It urged countries to offer global financial support on job creation and social protection to help narrow the gap.
While worldwide unemployment is expected to fall below pre-pandemic levels to 191 million this year, a rate of 5.3 per cent, low-income countries lag in the recovery process, said the ILO’s 11th edition of the Monitor on the World Of Work.
Low-income countries in Africa and the Arab region are unlikely to recover to pre-pandemic levels of unemployment this year.
The jobless rate in North Africa is expected to be 11.2 per cent compared to 10.9 per cent in 2019, noted the report.
Rising debt levels compound challenges facing developing states, making policy intervention more difficult, said the ILO.
The organisation is launching a Global Coalition for Social Justice to push social justice as a national, regional and global policy.
“Investing in people through jobs and social protection will help narrow the gap between rich and poor nations and people,” said ILO director-general Gilbert F. Houngbo. REUTERS
