THE LABOUR FORCE CHAPTER 22

Transcription

1 THE LABOUR FORCE CHAPTER 22

2 OBJECTIVE To look at issues related to employment, unemployment and the rights of workers To examine the causes of unemployment and under-employment To examine the role of trade unions The become familiar with some of the laws and international conventions which protect the rights of workers

3 The Labour Force All people between the ages of 16 to 60/65 years of age who are capable and willing to work Consists of people who are working and people who are looking for work

4 Labour Force in Trinidad and Tobago What trends do you notice from the statistics of the labour force between 1999 and 2001? Compare the data for males and females in the labour force between 1999 and Labour Force Both Sexes 563, , ,400 Males 348, , ,600 Females 215, , ,800

5 Unemployment Figures in Trinidad and Tobago What do you notice about the unemployment trends between 1999 and 2001? Which of the sexes experienced a higher unemployment rate? Look at the figures for the total labour force and the total unemployed then calculate the total number of people who are employed for 1999, 2000, 2001 (subtract) Total Unemployed Both Sexes 74,100 69,600 62,400 Males 37,900 36,100 30,700 Females 36,200 33,500 31,700

6 Types of workers: Primary: workers involved in producing/extracting resources that are original or in their natural state e.g. mining crude oil Secondary: workers involved in producing goods using raw materials provided by primary workers e.g. refining crude oil to obtain gasoline, bitumen etc Tertiary: workers involved in providing for the primary and secondary workers e.g. insurance, transport and banking

7 Unemployable Under the age of 16 Over the age of 60/65 and not seeking employment Persons pursuing full-time education Persons serving prison sentences Persons suffering from debilitating diseases which render them incapable of work People who lack the basic skills and fail to meet the minimum requirements for a job

8 Employed Person has a full-time job and earns a salary or wage consistent with the qualifications he/she possesses.

9 Unemployment A situation where a person in the labour force is capable and willing to work but has not found a job No vacancy

10 Underemployment Occurs when: a person has a temporary job and works part-time, rather than full-time persons accept jobs for which they are over-qualified because jobs for which they are qualified are unavailable

11 Causes of Unemployment Too few vacancies in certain fields (clerks, teachers, secretaries) Failure of the education system (focus on academics rather than skills) Foreign exploitation of our major natural resources Capital intensive industries replacing intensive ones High level of importation High birth rate

12 Causes of Unemployment Underdeveloped agricultural sector, low profit margins, not attractive to the labour force High wages negotiated by trade unions keep profit margins low and hinder expansion of businesses High level of imports for the tourism sector (furniture, equipment, meals etc) Money for development borrowed from foreign countries causing a shortage of finance (lack of capital)

13 How can unemployment (and poverty) be reduced?

14 Greater industrialization Support and expand the agricultural sector Develop more downstream industries School curricula should emphasize tech/voc subjects such as welding, auto mechanics, electrical installation, beauty culture, agri-science, masonry and plumbing. Promote tourist industry Regional cooperation Make workers shareholders increased productivity Control birth rate via family p0lanning education (reduced population=reduced unemployment)

15 When you are looking for a job it would help if you could see yourself from the employer s point of view. All employers look for certain qualities or personal attributes in addition to the skills that you are required to possess for that particular job.

16 Top 10 qualities employers look for: 1. Communication skills 2. Honesty and integrity 3. Teamwork skills 4. Interpersonal skills 5. Motivation and initiative 6. Strong work ethic 7. Flexibility and adaptability 8. Analytical skills/ Resourcefulness 9. Computer skills 10. Organisational skills

17 Issues affecting people in the workplace Sexual harassment Gender discrimination Ethnic/religious discrimination Unsafe working conditions Low wages

18 WORKER S PLIGHT

19 Trinidad and Tobago is a rich and blessed country, Workers are the backbone of the economy, Contributing in primary, secondary and tertiary industries, However, they experience many difficulties. Many work hard and get little pay, Employed but living below the poverty line they say, Not enough money to support a small family, Some workers are in real jeopardy.

20 Women underrepresented in certain jobs, Sexual harassment at the workplace makes her sob, To her family she comes with a tear in her eye, The boss at work wants her in bed to lie. Cudjoe and Sat in a big, big fight, Racial discrimination they tackle with all their might, In order to get a work they say, You must be of a particular race for it to come your way.

21 Teachers breathe in chalk dust in classrooms, Some industries full of dust, smoke and toxic fumes, Employees at places work at heights, without harnesses Alas, to the ground they plummet. Many children I see working to the bone, Toting wood, cement, gravel, stone, Instead of enjoying school and childhood, They are forced into work and adulthood.

22 Answers to Class Activity 22.4, pg 196, Q 1; Workers Plight Problems Workers Experience Gender discrimination Ethnic discrimination Child labour Phrases Women under-represented in certain jobs To get a job you must be of a particular race Forced into work and adulthood Unsafe working conditions Low wages Sexual harassment Working at heights without harness Living below the poverty line The boss wants her in bed, to lie

23 Employee Protection 1. Trade Unions 2. Government 3. Laws 4. International Labour Organisation

24 TRADE UNION A Trade Union is an organisation of persons employed in an industry or following a particular trade who have joined together in order to improve their wages and working conditions

25 Main activities of trade unions: Collective Bargaining Political Activism Educational Provision (scholarships for members and their children, Trade Union Colleges e.g. Cipriani Labour College, Butler Institute of Labour)

26 Strategies used by Trade Unions NEGOTIATION INDUSTRIAL ACTION Strikes Working to rule DEMONSTRATIONS AND OTHER PROTESTS

27 Strategies used by Employers NEGOTIATIONS LOCK-OUTS

28 TRADE UNIONS For the payment of monthly union dues the TU will provide several benefits: Bargaining for increased wages Ensuring healthy, safe working conditions Providing legal assistance during disputes between worker and employer Financial assistance when disabled or injured during work Financial assistance to next-of-kin if a member dies

29 GOVERNMENT Introduced the Industrial Court on April 29, 1965 Responsible for settling labour disputes not resolved among trade unions, employers and the Ministry of Labour Established the Registration, Recognition and Certification Board to facilitate the operation of trade unions

30 Employee Protection Laws Factories Ordinance (regulations regarding health, sanitation and safety in factories) Retrenchment and Severance Benefits Act (provisions for the payment of compensation when retrenched) Maternity Protection Act (13 weeks maternity leave for expectant mothers)

31 LAWS Minimum Wage Act ($8 per hour, 40hr work week, extra pay for extra hours and public holidays) Equal Opportunity Act (illegal for employers to discriminate based on sex, race, ethnicity, religion, marital status, or disability) Employers are legally bound to provide compensation for employees who are injured during the course of their duties

32 INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION ILO (UN Agency since 1946): provides technical assistance and advice w.r.t. labour issues Right of workers to join a trade union Equality of opportunity for workers regardless of sex, race, religion, colour, status Working conditions Occupational health and safety Laws dealing with the rights of workers

33 Summary The labour force is made up of different types of workers Trade Unions play a major part in the labour environment There are important laws and international conventions which protect the rights of workers

34 Summary Human resource refers to people and their various skills, talents and abilities which they bring to the workplace Education and health are very important factors in the development of human resources The human resource of a country is important The human resource has a critical role to play in the development of a country