Behind the numbers

Monday, 4 April 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Unemployment in the country has declined to 4.3% in the fourth quarter of last year, as against 5% in the previous four months, according to the Department of Census and Statistics. But there is little change in the breakdown of the numbers showing an improvement in employment issues.

For example, the working age for Sri Lanka is defined as 15 years and above. The total working age population who are employed or unemployed during the reference week is identified as the economically active population. The estimated economically active population is about 8.9 million in the fourth quarter 2015, of which 64.5% are males and 35.5% are females.

The labour force is defined as the currently economically active population who are of working age. Labour force population expressed as a percentage of the working age population (age 15 years and over) is the labour force participation rate (LFPR). The survey results reveal that the overall LFPR for the fourth quarter is 53.6% and this is 75.4% and 35.2% for males and females respectively.

Persons who worked at least one hour during the reference period, as paid employees, employers, own account workers or contributing family workers, are said to be employed. This means that even though unemployment numbers appear low if it is calculated on people who are employed full-time the actual number of people needing jobs would be far higher, especially in rural areas.

Research organisations have also shown that post-2009 employment or job creation by the private sector has stagnated with the public sector showing fresh recruitment. This trend needs to be reversed for Sri Lanka to show meaningful growth.

In Sri Lanka girls outnumber their male counterparts at secondary level education, indicating a dedication to gender equality across the social spectrum. However, this has not translated into equitable employment opportunities or wage parity between men and women.

The female unemployment rate in Sri Lanka is over two-and-a-half times that of the male rate and almost twice the national figure. According to Government data, only 2.9% of men entering the labour market remain unemployed, while the corresponding figure for women is 7.2%. The national unemployment rate is 4.2% making it clear impediments exist for women to enter the job market.

The same Government figures indicate that education and skills do not necessarily help females secure employment – on the contrary, they could result in a lifetime of frustrations. Currently, the single largest employer of women is the agricultural sector at 33.9%, while the services sector employs around 42% of women, while industries employ around 24%.

Trends of women seeing employment in non-traditional industries must be enthusiastically encouraged, especially when they reach child bearing age, so that they are given the flexibility to continue being part of the formal workforce. Since 52% of the population are women it will all the more necessary to improve their skills as it also filters down to the next generation. A woman employed means a healthier, happier and better educated family. Economic growth demands investment. Let us start with real employment and not just numbers.