THE rate of unemployment that is expected to rise above 200 million in 2017 would be driven by large joblessness in the developing countries, latest report on global employment of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) reveals.

The report, tagged ‘World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends 2016’ (WESO)’, obtained by The Guardian yesterday indicates that despite falling unemployment levels in some developed economies, new analysis shows that the global job crisis is not likely to end especially in emerging economies.

The report warns that continuing high rates of unemployment worldwide and chronic vulnerable employment in many emerging and developing economies are still deeply affecting the world of work.

Commenting on the findings of the report, the Director-General of the ILO, Guy Ryder, said: “The significant slowdown in emerging economies coupled with a sharp decline in commodity prices is having a dramatic effect on the world of work. Many working women and men are having to accept low paid jobs, both in emerging and developing economies and also, increasingly in developed countries. And despite a drop in the number of unemployed in some EU countries and the U.S., too many people are still jobless. We need to take urgent action to boost the number of decent work opportunities or we risk intensified social tensions.”

“The lack of decent jobs leads people to turn to informal employment, which is typically characterised by low productivity, low pay and no social protection. This needs to change. Responding urgently and vigorously to the scale of the global jobs challenge is key to successful implementation of the United Nations’ newly adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” he added.

Also, the Director of ILO Research department, Raymond Torres, said: “The unstable economic environment associated with volatile capital flows, still dysfunctional financial markets and the shortage of global demand continue to affect enterprises and deter investment and job creation. In addition, policy-makers need to focus more on strengthening employment policies and tackling excessive inequalities. There is much evidence that well-designed labour market and social policies are essential for boosting economic growth and addressing the jobs crisis and almost eight years after the start of the global crisis, a strengthening of that policy approach is urgently needed.”

Meanwhile, the report shows that informal employment – as a percentage of non-agricultural employment – exceeds 50 per cent in half of the developing and emerging countries with comparable data. In one-third of these countries, it affects over 65 per cent of workers.