Employmentweb_low

EMployMEnT, worK, and HEalTH inEqualiTiEs - a global perspective
the current inertia of the dominant point of view on the economy and unequal power-positions among various social
groups mean that this would appear to be the most likely scenario. (Wade, 2009). evidence of the social costs resulting from
earlier re-adjustment plans obligates us to seriously consider the importance of these dangers. however, in order to prevent
a huge social impact, we ought to consider other scenarios, which are possible. one possible alternative would consist of
designing policies that universally guarantee minimum standards for the whole population. there are good reasons for this
if one considers not only the enormous interdependence between the different economies but also the considerable social
advantages presented by more egalitarian societies, as well as an awareness of the challenges which humanity faces from
environmental problems. however, successfully facing this situation will demand a considerable effort in the elabouration
and development of policies that are oriented towards seeking coherence between different economic, social and ecological
policies. it will also demand, without a doubt, reflection on the institutional frameworks which shape economic and
occupational life. assessment of social costs, in terms of health and quality of life, should be a basic criterion for gaining an
awareness of what fundamental objectives should be and where we ought to look for ways to end the current crisis.
References
Álvarez, n., buendía, l., Mateo, J. p., Medialdea, b., Molero, r., Montanyà, M., et al. (2009) Ajuste y salario. Las consecuencias
del neoliberalismo en Latino América y los Estados Unidos. México: Fondo de cultura económica.
harvey, D. (2005). A brief history of neoliberalism. oxford: oxford university press.
held, D., & Kaya, a. (2007). Global inequality. cambridge: polity press.
standing, g. (2002). Beyond the new paternalism. london: verso.
stiglitz, J. (2002). Globalisation and its discontents. new York: norton.
Wade, r. (2009). From global imbalances to global reorganisations. Cambridge Journal of Economics, 33, 539-562.
economic thinking, unemployment levels are merely a result of the
workings of the economic system as a whole. however, for the line
of thought that is dominant in political institutions and academic
circles, unemployment is a problem specific to the labour market.
Thus, unemployment becomes a justification for applying structural
reforms in the labour market, which usually include cuts in the
duration or level of unemployment benefits (since such benefits are
assumed to reduce efforts to seek employment), reductions of job
security (to improve flexibility and stimulate private investment) and
measures aimed at decentralising collective negotiation. The impact
of these policies affects not only individual rights but also the
possibility of collective action, an aspect which is crucial to both
achieving improvements in social standards and to guaranteeing
that regulations and collective agreements are respected (case
study 101).
a neW poLicy aGenDa
neo-liberalism has so embedded itself in the decision-making of
governments that most policy-makers can no longer grasp the
proactive role that government can play at the national and
international levels, in terms of social and economic development.
instead, the role of government has been limited to boosting private
markets and, in times of crisis, responding to the lobbying of
powerful special interest groups, while the pleas of unions and other
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