Employmentweb_low

EmploymEnT, woRk, and hEalTh inEqualiTiEs - a global perspective
However, the economy continued to be under constant threat of
political instability, war and recurrent drought, factors which have
significantly retarded development (WB, 2009).
The economic reform policy increased pressure on public sector
employment (which was 73% of wage employment), ending
guaranteed jobs for university graduates and other restrictions on
hiring in the sector (serneels, 2004). public expenditure generally
increased during the subsequent economic reforms. Enrolment
rates, especially in primary education, have grown significantly.
However, the quality of schooling has gone down due to
overcrowding, insufficient school supplies, crumbling school
buildings and facilities, and poorly trained, demoralised and
unmotivated teachers.
The other effect of the reform is seen in the health service sector.
Health services are severely limited. although health coverage has
increased in the past few years, and the proportion of the population
within 1 km of health facilities rose from 52 per cent to 61 per cent,
the utilisation rate remained very low, and patients often bypass
lower-tier health facilities because they lack the necessary staff or
drugs (african forum and network on Debt and Development
[afroDaD], 2006).
according to the 2005 national labour force survey report (Central
statistical agency of Ethiopia, 2005), the active economic population
(age 10 or older) is estimated to be 78.4 per cent (86.1% males and
71.2% females). The rates vary by place of residence (82.6% rural and
57.7% urban) and gender (86.1% males and 71.2% females).
unemployment, accompanied by underemployment, is a serious
problem in Ethiopia's urban areas. although the lack of reliable
records and the existence of various informal types of work make
reliable data hard to come by, some reports suggest that nearly 59
per cent of the urban work force is unemployed (51.1% of men and
67.3% of women). among the urban employed, 45.6 per cent are
permanent employees, 8.1 per cent are contract workers, and 46.3
per cent are casual workers.
rural unemployment, however, is virtually nonexistent.
according to a ministry of labour survey (2006), only 0.1% of the
rural workforce was found unemployed during a twelve-month
period. The rate of child involvement in economic activity in Ethiopia
is also among the highest in the world. In 1999, it was estimated that
53.7 per cent of children between the ages of 10 and 14 were
working (Ilo, 2005). Children's school enrolment, on the other hand,
remains very low (guarcello, lyon, & rosati, 2006). for instance, the
labour participation rate of children aged 5-14 is 49.4% (32.9% only
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