Spiraling Economic Insecurity Threatens Global Crisis: Report
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NEW DELHI, Sept 3 (OneWorld) - A new study by the International Labor Office (ILO) says an estimated two million workers die each year from work related accidents and disease, while just eight percent of people across the world have favorable economic security, cautioning that rising insecurity spawns anger and anxiety and blocks development.
The report titled "Economic Security For A Better World" released in Geneva Wednesday is the first such effort to measure global economic security as perceived by the common man. It is based on detailed household and workplace surveys covering over 48,000 workers and more than 10,000 workplaces worldwide. Data from the People's Security Surveys conducted by the ILO reveals widespread job dissatisfaction the world over. Says ILO Director General Juan Somavia, "Unless we can make our societies more equal and the global economy more inclusive, very few will achieve economic security or decent work." In terms of relative performance in economic security, a high proportion of Asian countries fall into the surveys Much-to-be-done cluster of those with relatively undeveloped policies to promote economic security. Bangladesh and India's western state of Gujarat, are ranked lowest in south Asia in this regard. Infact, it says 15 percent of ethnic and religious minorities in the latter state cannot obtain salaried employment thanks to prevailing discrimination. Interviewees expressed an overwhelming demand for support to the economically vulnerable, and the reduction of inequality. The report stresses that economic insecurity fosters intolerance and stress, which contributes to social illness, warning that it could spark social violence as well. People in countries that give their citizens a high level of economic security have a higher level of happiness on an average, notes the report. Ironically, it points out that a high level of skills security is actually inversely related to happiness. Too many people are discovering their skills and qualifications do not match the jobs they have to perform, causing a "status frustration" effect. Regarding work-related ill health, the report says in 2002, over 500,000 people were affected by stress at work, with 13.4 million working days lost due to the occupational hazard. It adds that depression is a consequence of stress -- now one of the world's major causes of premature deaths and disability, including suicides and death from overwork in Japan and many other countries. Significantly, the report highlights the lack of a pro-poor policy the world over, pointing out that subsidies for the poor have nosedived, with most given to large corporations and the affluent. The survey also finds that most anti-poverty programs fail to reach the people they are intended for. For instance, Ethiopia's food-for-work scheme did not benefit them, while Indonesia's rice subsidy scheme went disproportionately to the non-poor. Again, old-age income security continues to worsen across the world, especially in industrialized countries. Here, the rate of chronic poverty among the elderly has risen in 19 countries and fallen in eight. In Ethiopia, two-thirds of young and middle-aged people are worried about being penniless in their old age. In Eastern Europe, the situation is equally bad. In Ukraine, four out of every five people expect their income to be inadequate in old age. And in China, only six percent of young and middle-aged people think their income security in old age would be reasonably good. In developing countries, new data shows the cost of healthcare is the main cause of income insecurity and anxiety. In both rich and developing countries, healthcare costs have been rising as a share of disposable income. The report underscores the fact that political democracy and a trend towards civil liberties increases economic security. With globalization triggering the decline of trade unions, a weak collective voice has made workers insecure. Surprisingly, most workers interviewed, especially in developing countries like Bangladesh, parts of India and Pakistan, were unaware of the existence of unions and sceptical about their value. Even in some industrialized countries, the report notes the unionization rate has dipped to below ten percent. Consequently, the study vehemently advocates a strengthening of the collective voice as the primary means of improving working conditions, and protecting workers health. Describing the exhaustive survey, Deepak Nayyar, member of the ILO World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization, notes, "The analysis and evidence show that globalization has been associated with erosions in critical areas of economic security. Yet, basic security can, and does, improve the well-being of humankind. This is the essence of our quest for a better world." |
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