Youth And Unemployment In Developing Countries; The Need For Urgent Intervention.

Youth And Unemployment In Developing Countries;  The Need For Urgent Intervention.

The twenty first century is one of prevalent technological and social advancement.  However, in developing countries this has been halted by the ever spreading wildfire of unemployment that is steadily consuming productivity in those states. Unemployment has been portrayed in many negative terms viz-a-viz, scourge, cankerworm, menace, terror and many more. In this article, I will attempt (successfully) to justify these aliases, conduct a comprehensive and detailed analysis and proffer solutions to the deathly menace before it completely ravages our societies and plunges it back into the abyss of developmental sterility from whence it had been slowly climbing.

Unemployment according to Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia is the enforced idleness of wage earners who are willing, able and qualified for work but cannot find the required jobs. While present in most countries of the world, this rampaging beast is most active and deadlier in developing countries. In fact developing countries and unemployment are known to walk shoulder to shoulder, stroll arm in arm and lay side by side, an inseparable pair. What though are developing countries? Developing countries as the name imply are countries economically and technologically challenged or whose political and financial standing is not on a par with the more affluent nations of the world. These third world or developing countries are mostly located in Latin America, Asia and Africa. The wealthier a nation is, the better equipped it is to deal with the issue of unemployment. These developing countries alas are poorly armed and are being brutally gutted as the scourge of unemployment speedily eats away at the core of these nations.

In Nigeria alone, One-third of the nation’s populations, amounting to about 60 million people, are unemployed. According to the Federal Ministry of Labor and Productivity, more than 41% of Nigerian graduates are unemployed after the mandatory National Youth Service Corps engagement. The National Bureau of Statistics says over 50% of youths in Nigeria are unemployed, while the World Bank puts the figure at 56%.The depth of this predicament was eminently showcased when out of 13,000 applications received by the Dangote Group of Companies for Graduate Executive Truck Drivers, there were 6 Ph. D, 704 Masters and over 8,460 Bachelor Degree holders. Most astonishing was the fact that company only needed 100 drivers but got 13,000 applications, a large percentage from universities of repute. Truly unemployment is a menace of horrendous proportions.

 To better understand this menace, we must peer into its very core, glimpse at its every facet and examine its every angle. Socially, an idle man is the bane of good society. Generally frowned upon and looked down on by his peers, the unemployed will have little social status and be unable to earn the respect of friends and family. Even religiously unemployment is severely condemned.  Islam and Christianity are the two most dominant religions in the world in general - and in Nigeria specifically - and being practiced by at least a third of the world’s population. What do these two torchbearers of spiritualism say about the ignoble institution of unemployment? For Christianity, the King James Bible speaks authoritatively ‘’But if any provide not for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel’’.  Islam on its own part maintains ‘’accursed is he who puts his burden on others’’. (Wasail al-Shi’ah ,vol 12, p. 18). Religion here makes its stand clear on the issue of unemployment. The question now is. Having been condemned by man, society, and religion why then does unemployment continue to cling tenaciously to these societies that so desperately need to be rid of it and how can developing countries do away with its tenacious bride that so vehemently insists on a place beside it?

Of all the important questions that beg answering, we will first address the why of this dire predicament’s plaguing of mankind despite an identification of its damaging nature. We will also examine the cause of this horrific blight. A host of factors can be traced as the source of unemployment in developing countries. First among them is political instability and crises. This can lead to destruction of businesses and establishments as in the case of several African countries like Kenya and the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. Many jobs were lost as a result of the sabotaging and closure of companies which had formerly been the source of livelihood for citizens of those nations. Poor level of education and an ever rising population is also responsible for the upsurge in unemployment rates. The job seekers may lack the required educational qualification and technical skills to engage in the jobs that are available. Also compounding the problem is the policies of companies and employers. Most companies will demand for several years of working experience along with unusually high grades as the terms to be met to acquire the employment. This job vacancy automatically disqualifies fresh graduates or those with the required working experience but with anything less than the required grade.

The role of population increase in unemployment will also not be underemphasized. More job seekers are been thrown into the labor market faster than jobs are being created thereby resulting in a deficit. With institutions of learning churning out graduates every year and colleges and schools spewing out job seekers with the constancy of a pregnant housewife passing saliva, the unfortunate rise in unemployment rates in these countries is inevitable. Worldwide recession has led to less demand and unavoidable lay-offs and retrenchment.  Less demand is being made for labor intensive work due to advent of technology and what we will term ‘’the rise of the machines’’. No terminator movie though, this is a stark reality. All pun intended.

All the aforementioned, along with the rural-urban migration are the reasons why unemployment not only persists but thrives. In urban migration, a large number of people migrate from rural areas to urban centers in search of greater opportunities. This adds up to an already choked labor market making supply of labor twice higher than demand for it. This also reduces the possibility of more people being employed from the labor market. The major reason though which we are yet to touch on is the corruption of the leaders of these third world and developing countries. These leaders appointed to serve as wards and custodians of the people’s wealth have proved to be nothing more than inconsiderate brewers of mischief and perpetrators of impiety. Their only interests lie in self-aggrandizement and the exploitation of the nation’s intrinsic wealth for their own selfish purposes. Not all of these developing nations are in true penury as some possess invaluable natural minerals that can be utilized for the betterment of the whole nation. The lushness of these nations however is being violated by its licentious leaders.

The mundane inclinations of the corrupt leaders of these developing nations run unchecked. Carting away huge sums of the nation’s reserves, they live out their dreams in splendor, decadence and debauchery while the common people sink deeper into their nightmarish existence. Huge sums of monies possessed by these corrupt leaders are hinted at by a fearful populace who can do nothing to check these leaders. Corruption mounts its vertex as formerly subservient individuals and servants of the state become supercilious masters. Stemming the towering tide of their greed seems forlornand unemployment has risen to an all-time high because of the thievery of these nation’s leaders and their neglect of their duties. This is most assuredly the greatest reason and cause for the blooming thorn bush of corruption in developing countries.

Having examined the causes of unemployment in developing countries, we will now consider its dastardly effects and add in the youth factor to see what the mix will bring us. Firstly who or what are youths? And why are they of intrinsic value to the society.  A youth can be a young man in his teens or twenties. They are the progeny of the current generation. On their backs lie the dreams, hopes and plans of the current workers. Like a dramatic punch line in a catchy action movie would read, “they are the future’’. The value of youth in all and especially developing countries cannot be overemphazed. It is the youths who will bear the standard when the current generation hath grown frail it is they who will keep the flag flying and light the torches when dusk falls on their predecessors. Do the effects of unemployment touch on the youth in the society? It does indeed and it is they who are most at risk in suffering its adverse effects. How so?

Firstly, the youths are the backbone of every nation, the springboard from which the future sails into the distance. The ravages of unemployment will leave all including the youths of a developing society starved in both mind and body, diminished in intellect, and barren of goals. The youth-society relationship is one of give and take. The society gives to the youth, and the youth gives back to the society when the time is due.  A society suffering the throes of unemployment however as developing countries are will be unable to give adequately to its youth population. They will in turn be left malnourished and starved of the required capabilities a fully functioning society would have inculcated in them. That is the deeper and more dangerous effect of unemployment on the youths in developing countries. It ill prepares them and poorly equips them to provide the advancement these nations so sorely need. A poorly trained youth will become a poor worker and efficient training cannot easily be gotten in a society already suffering the ravages of unemployment. A nation not catering to the needs of its youths as we identified before will be stranded in the primitive stages of development.

On the shallower side of the pool, unemployment will leave the youths in a society angry and discontent. In Nigeria, An estimated 120,000 graduates are churned out by universities and polytechnics annually into an already choked labor market with little or no job opportunities. Work, they say, gives one's life purpose, direction, order and dignity. When it cannot be attained, there is frustration which in turn leads to desperation.                      .

Being the vital and the most important portion of society, disciplined, focused and law abiding youths are meant to create a bright future for any nation. Conversely, a lawless youth is a great threat to any nation’s peace and security. Youths being people aged 18-35 as identified by the national youth development policy (2001) in Nigeria constitute about 40 percent of the National population. Being the larger part of the society, they outnumber the aged and middle-aged. They also possess extraordinary potentials, coupled with energy, drive and ideas that should jet a nation into the future. This productivity when put to work should result in ultimate yield and high productivity but alas the ill effects of unemployment in developing countries will not make for easy take off. In fact if left unchecked, the unhalted advance of unemployment could lead to a future where arable endeavors eke out befitting burials, future where values turn taboos and taboos turn values.

The youth in developing countries are ill prepared and poorly trained to discharge their destined duties. For those that do manage to acquire the needed skills and knowledge, there are no avenues for them to exploit their potentials. This will leave the youths disheartened, restive and inflamed. In Nigeria, in 1988 and recently 2012, recent increase in fuel price has been followed by spontaneous uprisings against the government. In Zambia, in 1986 and 1987, demonstrations ensured when maize price increase was announced. Unemployment also leads to social vices, and outbreak of chaos in the family unit. Idleness will usually be followed by drinking, loss of self-esteem, nagging, wife beating, all this fostered by the menace of unemployment.

Some never give up the search for a job even with little or no hope in sight. Some who have entrepreneurial skills; creativity andmost importantly capital have created employment for themselves and several others. A large number however have taken to the streets to begin a life of crime and vices that is volatile and only minimally profitable in the overall picture of the developing country if not outright ignoble. Crime rates have also skyrocketed with the advent of unemployment. Recent graduates have been known to be responsible for some of the largest percentage of unemployed people who have turned up to a life in crime. Acts like murder, religious uprising, kidnapping, armed robbery, theft, oil bunkering, fraud and ethnic militancy would now be their new employment. They now channel their energy, entrepreneurial skills, drive and creativity into their new found jobs.

These alternatives that the unemployed youths have carved out for themselves are what the government has labeled youth violence or youth restiveness. However, a society that celebrates wealth and affluence without regard for the manner in which such was obtained or the principles and morality of those looked upon as the pillars of society cannot expect its youths to imbibe honorable values at the expense of achieving similar affluence.
Having thoroughly examined this problem of unemployment facing society, we are at a most crucial juncture in the road. Here we will set out to find the hot blade that will excise this gangrene from the wound. What are the solutions to these problems we have so thoroughly examined? Developing countries have no doubt done well to embark on the path of development but while faced with the scourge of unemployment, it almost seems as if development were galloping to a horrendous halt. Should the cancer currently affecting it be left unchecked, an ignominious conclusion will climax a splendiferous start. Again what can be done to check this marauding villain?

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan's administration came up with an initiative of youth entrepreneurship called The Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN). This would help generate jobs by encouraging and supporting ambitious and creative enterprising young men and women to develop and implement business ideas for job creation. It is envisaged that over a 3-year period in which the second cycle will be completed in 2013 (September) between 80,000 to 320,000 new jobs will have been created at a cost of N10billion. Other governments could follow this example by paying greater attention to internal resource mobilization, fiscal discipline, and indigenous entrepreneurial development. Higher priority should be given to rural employment and support of rural agro and cottage industries. Governments should help people to cope by finding other ways of fulfilling the needs satisfied by employment.

Public work projects (such as food-for-work programs which do not conflict with food production policies) should be initiated to keep the unemployed occupied. Measures should be put in place to increase unemployment benefits and an expansion of social welfare programs including the distribution of food and clothing and the subsidization of rent. There should be an expansion of the primary health care program to make provision for free health care for the unemployed and their family as part of a relief package. Governments should also encourage private investors. All the effort to repair the crumbling core of society and fill up the void shouldn’t be on the part of governments alone. The youths also have a pivotal role to play in this. They should endeavor to build wholeness from rubble by self-betterment and acquisition of essential and necessary skills that can be put to good use. It is said that there is immeasurable wealth in supposed penury so an open mind, a searching heart and roving eyes will uncover lots. Creativity and dexterity like that being employed by the author of this expose will also be of help too along with the honing of talents and gifts in various fields.

A thorough examination of this article and application of the principles contained therein can only herald the dawn of a new era, one barren of jeopardy.

 

Donald Penprince