Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Labor Market Reforms to Boost Employment and Productivity in the GCC

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Labor Market Reforms to Boost Employment and Productivity in the GCC PDF Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498341152
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 38

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Book Description
The GCC growth model has delivered substantial improvements in living standards over several decades. Access to foreign labor has supported rapid growth in the non-oil sector and price stability in the region. It has also resulted in positive spillovers to the migrant-sending countries through large remittance flows. At the same time, governments have increased public-sector employment and have helped raise standards of living. However, the growth model has involved costs: the public-sector wage bill is relatively high, there is limited employment of nationals in the private sector, labor productivity has declined or stagnated, and there is limited progress on economic diversification

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Labor Market Reforms to Boost Employment and Productivity in the GCC

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Labor Market Reforms to Boost Employment and Productivity in the GCC PDF Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498341152
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 38

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Book Description
The GCC growth model has delivered substantial improvements in living standards over several decades. Access to foreign labor has supported rapid growth in the non-oil sector and price stability in the region. It has also resulted in positive spillovers to the migrant-sending countries through large remittance flows. At the same time, governments have increased public-sector employment and have helped raise standards of living. However, the growth model has involved costs: the public-sector wage bill is relatively high, there is limited employment of nationals in the private sector, labor productivity has declined or stagnated, and there is limited progress on economic diversification

Economic Diversification in the GCC

Economic Diversification in the GCC PDF Author: Mr.Tim Callen
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498301681
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Book Description
Abstract: The economies of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are heavily reliant on oil. Greater economic diversification would reduce their exposure to volatility and uncertainty in the global oil market, help create jobs in the private sector, increase productivity and sustainable growth, and help create the non-oil economy that will be needed in the future when oil revenues start to dwindle. The GCC countries have followed many of the standard policies that are usually thought to promote more diversified economies, including reforms to improve the business climate, the development of domestic infrastructure, financial deepening, and improvements in education. Nevertheless, success to date has been limited. This paper argues that increased diversification will require realigning incentives for firms and workers in the economies—fixing these incentives is the “missing link” in the GCC countries’ diversification strategies. At present, producing non-tradables is less risky and more profitable for firms as they can benefit from the easy availability of low-wage foreign labor and the rapid growth in government spending, while the continued availability of high-paying and secure public sector jobs discourages nationals from pursuing entrepreneurship and private sector employment. Measures to begin to address these incentive issues could include limiting and reorienting government spending, strengthening private sector competition, providing guarantees and financial support for those firms engaged in export activity, and implementing labor market reforms to make nationals more competitive for private sector employment.

Gulf Cooperation Council

Gulf Cooperation Council PDF Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498346197
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 28

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Book Description
Global economic activity is gaining momentum. Global growth is forecast at 3.6 percent this year, and 3.7 percent in 2018, compared to 3.2 percent in 2016. Risks around this forecast are broadly balanced in the near term, but are skewed to the downside over the medium term. The more positive global growth environment should support somewhat stronger oil demand. With inflation in advanced countries remaining subdued, monetary policy is expected to remain accommodative. GCC countries are continuing to adjust to lower oil prices. Substantial fiscal consolidation has taken place in most countries, mainly focused on expenditure reduction. This is necessary, but it has weakened non-oil growth. With the pace of fiscal consolidation set to slow, non-oil growth is expected to increase to 2.6 percent this year, from 1.8 percent last year. However, because of lower oil output, overall real GDP growth is projected to slow to 0.5 percent in 2017 from 2.2 percent in 2016. Growth prospects in the medium-term remain subdued amid relatively low oil prices and geopolitical risks. Policymakers have made a strong start in adjusting fiscal policy. While the needed pace of fiscal adjustment varies across countries depending on the fiscal space available, in general countries should continue to focus on recurrent expenditure rationalization, further energy price reforms, increased non-oil revenues, and improved efficiency of capital spending. Fiscal consolidation should be accompanied by a further improvement in fiscal frameworks and institutions. The direction of fiscal policy in the GCC is broadly consistent with these recommendations. Policies should continue to be geared toward managing evolving liquidity situations in the banking system and supporting the private sector’s access to funding. While countries have made progress in enhancing their financial policy frameworks, strengthening liquidity forecasting and developing liquidity management instruments will help banks adjust to a tighter liquidity environment. Banks generally remain profitable, well capitalized, and liquid, but with growth expected to remain relatively weak, the monitoring of financial sector vulnerabilities should continue to be enhanced. Diversification and private sector development will be needed to offset lower government spending and ensure stronger, sustainable, and inclusive growth. This will require stepped-up reforms to improve the business climate and reduce the role of the public sector in the economy through privatization and PPPs. Reforms are needed to increase the incentives for nationals to work in the private sector and for private sector firms to hire them. Increasing female participation in the labor market and employment would benefit productivity and growth across the region. Where fiscal space is available, fiscal policy can be used to support the structural reforms needed to boost private sector growth and employment.

Impact of Science Education on the GCC Labor Market

Impact of Science Education on the GCC Labor Market PDF Author: Alexander W. Wiseman
Publisher: Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research
ISBN: 9948143779
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 22

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Book Description
The large population of expatriates and other non-nationals has outpaced the population of nationals in many Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Expatriates have come to Gulf countries to fill several niches in the labor market, which has segmented the labor market around wages, skills and employment sectors. This labor market segmentation has been characterized by GCC nationals holding stable and high-status jobs in the public sector, which generally do not require specific education or skills. However, the labor market is becoming increasingly less segmented as expatriates and non-nationals continue to fill private sector positions throughout the GCC labor market at all levels of pay and responsibility. Evidence suggests that creating both a competitive and amenable labor market for GCC nationals in the private sector will require a labor strategy focusing on strengthening investment in human capital. Doing this requires a significant investment in education either formally or informally. From a policy perspective, science education has been perceived to be one of the most important and rapid methods of building human capital for labor market readiness and productivity. This monograph contextualizes the labor market relative to science education and vice versa in the GCC countries, and summarizes the literature on the topic before turning to the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) data to examine comparatively science education and expectations for university and labor market transitions within and across GCC countries compared to international trends. This data is also examined to determine the specific differences in GCC nationals’ and non-nationals’ science knowledge and skills acquisition, which contribute to labor market participation and productivity in GCC countries. Finally, the TIMSS 2007 data is analyzed to compare the differences between national and non-national expectations and understanding of the labor market relative to their science knowledge and skills. The findings reported here provide a data-based portrait of the contribution of science education in GCC countries to labor market potential and participation of nationals and non-nationals. The results of these analyses provide a strong evidence base for policymakers in GCC countries to make decisions about science education and labor market policy. Finally, the monograph itself concludes with several evidence-based policy recommendations for complementing existing strategies aimed at creating a more competitive environment for the transition of GCC nationals into the private sector labor market in GCC countries.

Comparing the Employment-Output Elasticities of Expatriates and Nationals in the Gulf Cooperation Council

Comparing the Employment-Output Elasticities of Expatriates and Nationals in the Gulf Cooperation Council PDF Author: Mr.Alberto Behar
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1513573888
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 34

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Book Description
We estimate the elasticity of private-sector employment to non-oil GDP in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for GCC nationals and expatriates using a Seemingly Unrelated Error Correction (SUREC) model. Our results indicate that the employment response is lower for nationals, who have an estimated short-run elasticity of only 0.15 and a long-run response of 0.7 or less. The elasticity is almost unity for expatriates in the long run and 0.35 in the short run. We interpret low elasticities as indirect evidence of labor market adjustment costs, which could include hiring and firing rigidities, skills mismatches, and reluctance to accept private sector jobs. Forecasts suggest that, absent measures to reduce adjustment costs, the private sector will only be able to absorb a small portion of nationals entering the labor force.

Unlocking the Employment Potential in the Middle East and North Africa

Unlocking the Employment Potential in the Middle East and North Africa PDF Author: World Bank
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 9780821356784
Category : Employment
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description


The Future of Labour Market Reform in the Gulf Region

The Future of Labour Market Reform in the Gulf Region PDF Author: David B. Jones
Publisher:
ISBN: 9783959940351
Category : BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
Languages : en
Pages : 205

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Book Description
As governments across the GCC strive to implement labour policies which accelerate the transition to ""post oil"" knowledge-based economies, this volume provides insights into the size of this challenge, along with analysis of progress to date. With a comprehensive coverage of the region (each GCC member is included in some respect), this new work provides unique insights into how the domestic policy agenda is shifting the region's moribund labour markets inexorably towards greater productivity, positivity, sustainability and efficiency.

The Future of Labour Market Reform in the Gulf Region

The Future of Labour Market Reform in the Gulf Region PDF Author: Gerlach Press
Publisher:
ISBN: 9783959940344
Category : Labor demand
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
As governments across the GCC strive to implement labour policies which accelerate the transition to "post oil" knowledge-based economies, this volume provides insights into the size of this challenge, along with analysis of progress to date. With a comprehensive coverage of the region (each GCC member is included in some respect), this new work provides unique insights into how the domestic policy agenda is shifting the region's moribund labour markets inexorably towards greater productivity, positivity, sustainability and efficiency. This volume is based on a workshop held at the Gulf Research Meeting organized by the Gulf Research Center Cambridge in summer 2016.

Jobs for Shared Prosperity

Jobs for Shared Prosperity PDF Author: Roberta Gatti
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 0821397206
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 351

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Book Description
In the aftermath of the Arab Spring, when thousands of young women and men fought for the opportunity to realize their aspirations and potential, the question of jobs continues to be crucial in the Middle East and North Africa region. This report uses jobs as a lens to weave together the complex dynamics of employment creation, skills supply, and the institutional environment of labor markets. Consistent with the framework of the 2013 World Development Report on jobs, of which this report is the regional companion, this work goes beyond the traditional links between jobs, productivity, and living standards to include an understanding of how jobs matter for individual dignity and expectations—an aspect that was clearly central to the Arab Spring. Just as important, this report complements the economic perspective with an analysis of political economy equilibrium, with a view to identifying mechanisms that would trigger a reform process. As such, the report has three objectives: First, it seeks to provide an in-depth characterization of the dynamics of labor markets in the Middle East and North Africa and to analyze the barriers to the creation of more and better jobs. It does so by taking a cross-sectoral approach and identifying the distortions and incentives that the many actors—firms, governments, workers, students, education, and training systems—currently face, and which ultimately determine the equilibrium in labor markets. Second, the report proposes a medium term roadmap of policy options that could promote the robust and inclusive growth needed to tackle the structural employment challenge for the region. Third, the report aims to inform and open up a platform for debate on jobs among a broad set of stakeholders, with the ultimate goal of contributing to reach a shared view of the employment challenges and the reform path ahead.

Unlocking the Employment Potential in the Middle East and North Africa

Unlocking the Employment Potential in the Middle East and North Africa PDF Author: World Bank
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
For the Middle East and Africa (MENA region), the key to their economic future will be determined by the fate of their indigenous labour markets. The challenge for this part of the world is to create 100 million jobs. Such an objective is hampered by the already prevailing economic conditions. All MENA countries are suffering from high unemployment, which is directly effecting women, the young, and the educated, but at the same time has the fastest growing labour market in the world. This title argues that meeting this employment challenge will require the transformation of the regions societies and economic structures as well as a new development model based on a reinvigorated private sector, greater integration into the world economy, and better management of oil resources. These drivers of future growth and job creation will require, moreover, a foundation of better governance and a new social contract.