Youth from villages and young women are the most discouraged on the labour market

In Moldova, according to the National Institute for Economic Research (INCE) and demographics experts, the young segment of the population will see massive declines in the future decades. The young labour force faces more socio-economic problems and greater involvement from authorities is needed to solve them. This is one of the findings, presented today, November 24, by participants in a round table, where the situation of young people on the labour market was tackled.

At the event organized by INCE was the presentation of the report “Young people on the labour market of the Republic of Moldova: skills and aspirations” and consultation of the report “Inclusion of young people outside the education, training and occupation system (NEET youths)”. These studies were carried out within the Youth Competence Observatory project, supported by the RBEC Catalytic Facility, funded by the Government of Turkey in partnership with UNDP, UNFPA, SDC, CNTM.

According to the organizers, the purpose of the meeting was to inform decision-makers and the general public about the situation of young people on the labour market, issues related to their integration into the labour market, the challenges they face, the recommendations for improving youth strategies, that are to be taken into account in the elaboration, adjustment or implementation of public policies on the integration of young people into the labour market.

According to the data presented, the youth unemployment rate was over 8 percent in 2016. However, experts at the event note that officially registered unemployment is too low and does not reflect the real situation. Although in recent years there is an increase in the number of young people with higher education, about 42% of young unemployed people have never worked. This is determined, on the one hand, by the unwillingness of employers to enter the young workforce because they have no experience, and on the other hand, the lack of professional and personal skills that would allow young people to find a job.

At the same time, about 41 percent of young people do not accept job offers on the labour market. Along with the main reason that young people justify their refusal, namely the low wage offered (76 percent), uninteresting work (about 10 percent), about 7 percent of young people declined an offer because work did not match the level of qualification obtained.

Another reported issue is the discrimination of women on the labour market. The employment rate of young women in the labour force is only 24 percent. In addition, although they have a higher educational level than men, young women are less paid than men.

Also, the highest concentration of young people on the labour market is observed in urban areas, reaching 34 percent, in the rural area the indicator is about 23 percent. This fact is determined by the small employment opportunities in the rural environment, as well as by the massive migration of the young people from the villages.

Olga Gagauz, PhD, vice director of the National Institute for Economic Research, said that in order to have an inclusive society, we must pay attention to young people and their problems. In particular, it is necessary to improve the employers’ relationship with young people, to increase the quality and the level of professional training of young people on the labour market, qualification compliance with labour market requirements.

Everyone present have said that in order to increase the supply of jobs, especially the quality ones – with good working conditions and qualifications that correspond to the requirements of the modern society, coherent policies and special programs that require the active involvement of local authorities, the creation of functional public-private partnerships. In order to reduce unemployment, it is necessary to train / retrain regularly young people.

Another highlighted aspect is that education institutions must provide initial lifetime training, stimulating the so-called Lifelong learning concept, in compliance with current and future labour market demands.

Department of mass media and international relations