Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/733/15225
From The Socialist newspaper, 12 September 2012
Global youth unemployment rises
Lizi Gray, 2011 Jarrow marcher
Since the end of the Youth Fight for Jobs 2011 Jarrow March, youth unemployment figures have continued to rise internationally, currently standing at 13% overall; the highest rate in Europe is Spain at 52%.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has predicted that these figures are only set to worsen over the next four years. The longer young people are unemployed, the more difficult it is for them to find work even if the job market improves, says the ILO.
The eurozone crisis has had a knock-on effect on other economies, with youth unemployment figures rising to 26.5% in the Middle East and to 27.9% in North Africa, a rise of 5% since the Arab Spring uprisings.
However, there has been a surge in fighting back by young people globally, from the Spanish Indignados to the Occupy movement beginning in Wall Street.
In the UK, Connexions offices are closing despite young people needing support to find employment. The Con-Dems point the finger of blame at those who can't find work but the figures speak for themselves. Around two thirds of local authorities have more than five claimants chasing every vacancy - going up to over 50!
The ILO has suggested offering tax breaks to businesses as an incentive to employ more young workers.
Socialists demand an immediate 50% levy on the £750 billion held by the major corporations in their bank vaults. This would provide enough money to invest in developing socially-useful industry, but also to massively expand much-needed public services. For example, investing in a huge programme of house-building would provide much-needed homes and jobs.
Youth Fight for Jobs calls for:
- A living minimum wage for all - no to low youth rates
- No to all cuts - we won't pay for a crisis caused by bankers and big business
- Investment in youth services and support for jobseekers
- Sharing out the work, without loss of pay, to solve problems of unemployment and long working hours
Jarrow March anniversary pamphlet
Organising the Lost Generation - Jarrow to London 2011 March for Jobs
- Order now for £6 plus £1 postage (usual price £9.99) at leftbooks.co.uk or ring 020 8988 8777
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In The Socialist 12 September 2012:
Fight against austerity
Build a 24-hour general strike
TUC passes general strike motion
NSSN lobby demands a 24-hour general strike
Teachers must unite against Tories
Socialist Party news and analysis
Con-Dem housing measures - in 'the thick of it'?
After the Paralympics... Stop the Con-Dems' assault on disabled
Cable attacks health and safety
'Red tape' bonfire puts workers at more risk
More bad news from media mogul Murdoch
International socialist news and analysis
Quebec Solidaire's electoral gains show potential for left
Honduras: Privatised cities in the global economy
Socialist Party feature: TUSC
We need a political voice to fight austerity
Socialist Party youth and students
Socialist students: Fighting for education
Bristol YFJ: "We're not lazy - we're fighting back"
Global youth unemployment rises
Youth Fight for Jobs in action! Coming events
Socialist Party workplace news
Workers' unity against brutal bosses at Cranswick Foods
East Coast train cleaners on strike
RMT assistant secretary arrested on picket line
Fighting NHS cuts
NHS under attack - Stop the closures, stop the cuts
Bromsgrove meeting opposes A&E closure
Demo against heart unit closure in Leicester
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Sheffield Socialist Party pickets strike-breaking facility
Brent Labour: Making families homeless
Young tenants to lobby Leeds council over housing crisis
Reviews and comments
The Reunion rewrites history: the Poll Tax
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