Sustainable development through decent jobs for youth

Sustainable development is only useful if it leads to the improved welfare of ordinary people. Generating more decent jobs that provide a living wage, social protection and worker rights is the best way to promote the three components of sustainable development: economic growth, social cohesion and environmental sustainability. At present there is a critical job shortage in most SIDS. This is reflected in high levels of unemployment and underemployment. These problems are particularly severe among young people, with youth unemployment rates exceeding 50 % in many SIDS. This is compounded by the poor quality of jobs that are available to young people. Due to a number of factors, including demography, the situation of young people is not expected to improve in the decades ahead. High rates of unemployment and under-employment, particularly among young men in the SIDS, are often associated with anti-social behaviours, including crime and drug use. This constitutes a threat to political stability and sustainable development. Urgent action is needed to improve employment prospects of young people in the SIDS as a way to foster economic, social and political stability.In 2012, the ILO adopted a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach to tackle the youth employment crisis. This approach combines action across five broad areas: macroeconomic policies; education and skills; labour market policies; self-employment and entrepreneurship; and worker rights for youth. This approach is underpinned by the collection and analysis of detailed data from school-to-work transition surveys and the assessment of policies and programmes with a view to improving the relevance and effectiveness of youth employment interventions. Illustrative examples of ILO's interventions to improve youth employment:A good example of the ILO approach can be found in Timor-Leste where in recent years activities have included: direct job creation through road development and other infrastructure in rural areas; vocational training and skill development; the provision of business services in key industries; and the establishment of a labour market information system. More details can be found at: http://www.ilo.org/jakarta/whatwedo/publications/WCMS_241045/lang--en/i… ILO work in Timor-Leste has been generously supported by Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the European Union. Through this partnership the ILO is seeking to maintain these activates and replicate them, where appropriate, in other SIDS. In Jamaica, the ILO is working to assist the Government in creating opportunities for sustainable employment and poverty reduction, especially among young women and men, by implementing the Rural Employment Programme. Such an approach to decent work ensures that young women and men in rural/urban poor communities gain skills and knowledge that they can apply to improve their incomes and take a more active role in shaping their communities.