Global unemployment rates in sharp rise

By Soad M Salih

Reports indicate a rapid increase in joblessness in the world because of the international financial crisis. The meltdown faces not only the poor and developing states, but also the major economies of the world.

For example, in US the rate of unemployment reached 8.5 per cent, as the number of unemployed persons who applied for financial assistance, Sh 9,600monthly, stood at more than six million.

In France, the rate reached 15 per cent, or about three million persons.

Another report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) stated that the number of the unemployed in the world last year rose to more than 200 million, and is expected to increase further.

Concerning the Arab countries, according to statistics of the Arab Labour Organisation (ALO), the rate of unemployment reached about 14 per cent.General Director of ILO, Juan Silvia asserted the situation of the unemployment is worst in Arab countries. He expected transfers of the Arab workers abroad will drop due to the international crisis.

Co-ordination needed

To avoid the negative effects of the unemployment crisis, General Director of the ALO, Mr Ahmed Mohamed Lugman, said four million new jobs should be provided annually besides boosting the productivity and competitiveness of the real production sectors and increasing the volume o total spending to complete all projects of the infrastructures.

Mr Lugman stressed the importance of co-ordination of Arab economic positions in international forums and to formulate a national plan for the industrial and agricultural investment in the Arab region besides adoption of Arab projects to improve education, training and qualification.

— Sudan News Service

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