Unemployment is a state in which persons of working age, able and willing to work are unable to find paid employment that will engage them to be involved in productive ventures. It can also be referred to a situation in which people that are qualified with the relevant skills, be it technical and educational cannot find any suitable environment to practice their trade or profession.
Unemployment is a global problem that is not peculiar to a particular place or country. Unemployment is not a problem that can be solved through long speeches, conferences or stakeholders meeting, it can only take a political will to address this issue. In countries such as the United States, Canada, Britain and Germany this issue is a serious one, the electorates usually consider before casting their votes for a political party or candidate. In these countries, there are even welfare packages that are well coordinated to assist the poor particularly the unemployed, the aged and the disabled. And the most interesting thing is that these countries like our country are capitalist in nature, in other words, they are Core Capital nations. As I write this piece of work, I am pondering if really people vote in this country based on real issues that affect the societal well being. The truth is politics in this country is played based on prejudice, ethnicity, and tribalism, that is why you hear all sorts or sentiments like power must return to this or that place or we will pour fuel, put a lighter and burn the whole system. People are not bothered on the practical steps an individual can put in place to address a particular problem, but where he or she comes from. Already drums of war are being beaten at different quarters over 2015 elections. Just because of where the presidency will go to. Now let us take a critical look at the causes of unemployment, they include
1. Structural Unemployment: This occurs as a result of changes in the pattern of demand of a certain commodity, especially in production industry this could lead to downsizing of workforce, however adequate pay off package has to be put in place so that the negative impact on those who will be laid off will be very minimal.
2. Seasonal Unemployment: This occurs when the employment of workers is usually done only in a particular season. A very good example are those who work in the construction sector usually weather conditions could affect their employment.
3. Under Employment: This is one of the serious consequences of unemployment; it is a situation where individuals are utilized below their capacity. Most times it is caused by job losses, when people find it difficult to get the job they really desire. They are forced by circumstances to take up jobs that do not befit their skills, status experiences and educational qualifications. This is very common in our society. The major consequence of unemployment is anxiety in the minds of the unemployed people, as they become pessimistic about life and may have to face psychological trauma resulting from mental stress. Unemployed individuals according to sociological and economical research will go through a tight economic crunch, as they will not be able to meet their financial obligations. This will lead to decline in the standard of living of’ the unemployed individual, lack of funds also has a deep impact on the expenses of an unemployed individual. Other problems could be homelessness due to the inability of the unemployed individuals to pay their house rents.
Apart from adding economic imbalance to the society, unemployment results into dissatisfaction.
Unemployment can also lead to loss of potential national output i. e. GDP (Operating Well below Potential) and is a waste of scarce resources. Unemployment can also lead to a fall in tax revenues for the government. Rising unemployment could be linked to social deprivation. For example, there is a relationship with crime and social dislocation including increased divorced rate, worsening health and lower life expectancy.
Unemployment has led to high rate of emigration in the country, as thousands of young people, graduates and non-graduates leave the country in search of greener pastures, which at the end of the day may not be available for all of them. Unlucky ones end up in prison cells abroad. It is on record that over 6,000 Nigerians are currently languishing in various prisons across the world for various drug related offences. Although greediness could not be ruled out totally, the major reason that is causing mass exodus of our youths to other countries looking for a better life, is unemployment.
Another staggering number of over 16,000 Nigerians are in the UK prisons. Unemployment has also led to high rate of dependency, in our society, as full grown adults living below poverty line are living in this country. Some of the youths particularly graduates would have gone into entrepreneurship (self employed ventures), but there are no credit facilities available for them anywhere. Most of the armed struggles that we see around us presently, irrespective of the canopy or umbrella they operate from started as a result of idleness due to unemployment. Unemployment is the reason why whenever the youths, especially the unemployed are mobilized with crumbs and peanuts by satanic individual for selfish reasons, they pick up arms, bombs and other dangerous weapons to vent their anger on the society, thereby causing great carnage at different locations that could result to loss of lives and properly.
To address the problem of unemployment, first the government can directly engage the services of the unemployed to fill up vacancies in some of its establishments, especially the educational and agricultural sector, just as some state governors have done or are attempting to do. The government should take steps to fill discovered spaces occupied by ghost workers with qualified unemployed persons. Government must insist that contractors directly engage the services of young men and women for every contract that will be signed.
Another thing is that it is high time the people especially the youths in this country voted people based on issues, especially as it is done in the developed world, in other words, if a politician is seeking an elective post, the youth population must inquire from him or her to tell them what he or she will do to reduce unemployment which is a hydra headed monster confronting the wellbeing of the youths in the country. The era of dancing, eating and taking crumbs from politicians and also involving in thuggery during elections which some of the youths are guilty of, must end. And it is only the youths who can end it so as to create a better tomorrow for themselves. Government can give tax holidays, and other incentives to willing investors and also make the right policies to encourage investment. We cannot rule out the provision of infrastructures as it is critical to economic development. ###
Ipalibo Asemebo T
