A Marshall Plan to Solve Unemployment in Tunisia?
4 January 2011
Read by 1550 persons
The job market suffers from a mismatch between supply and demand; it also suffers from a lack of skills and opportunities. Young people suffer from inactivity, especially when they have diplomas that should guarantee them a job. What is the role of private operators, recruitment and temporary employment agencies in the fight against unemployment?
It is to this question and others that we answer with Jamal Belahrach, General Manager of the foreign subsidiaries of Manpower France.
Webmanagercenter: Where do you think we failed, so that young people take desperate measures because of long-term unemployment?
Jamal Belahrach: First, it must be said that youth unemployment affects all countries in the world and particularly our region, the Maghreb. Now, to answer your question, I would say, as far as I am concerned, it is the fact that we do not give strong signals to young people that puts them in a situation of despair. They need visibility and above all to feel a real mobilization and dynamic to help them with concrete actions beyond the grand speeches about their fundamental concerns.
The world has changed, our young people have other benchmarks, and institutions, politicians, and economic operators must follow this evolution.
What role can private recruitment companies play in the fight against unemployment when we know that the Maghreb states, to speak only of our region, are unable to overcome this problem?
Our role is to help job seekers, free of charge, to find the job that matches their skills, taking into account the needs of economic operators. We are experts on the subject, and at Manpower, for example, we have more than 60 years of experience worldwide. We know what works and what doesn't. We put this know-how at the service of young Tunisians, for 10 years now. Today, we have started collaborations with ANETI (National Agency for Employment and Independent Work) and some government services for jobs abroad. But we can go further. We have original ideas and we are ready to suggest them to national institutions.
What are the tools to be put in place between companies and HR consulting firms and public and private operators to find plausible solutions to eradicate this scourge that is prevalent in the Maghreb?
I think, first, that we need to bring this world together and build a real "Marshall Plan for employment". I have spoken about it before. It's not just a matter of tools, it's also a question of national mobilization with objectives and resources to match. The state, employers, and social partners must feel fully committed to this issue. The speech of the President of the Republic was clear. We must put it into practice so that it makes sense and that the implementation of the plan is rapid. The rapid evolution of economic and social life requires us to master time and not let ourselves go. Our young people expect actions, not words.
You are a job expert, why has unemployment become a structural problem in our country, in your opinion?
First, there was a major crisis whose consequences we are still paying for. On the other hand, we must accept the idea that there is a real problem relating to the mismatch between the supply of skills on the market and the demand of companies. I insist on the fact that the typology of our economies is undergoing a profound transformation, and therefore requires new skills. Humility will command us to reflect on this question in order to make decisions for the future.
I would add that the culture of diplomas should not take precedence over the development of skills based on knowledge, of course, but even more on know-how that will allow our young people to adapt and integrate well into our companies. It's the end of an era. Together, we must prepare the future.
Has the labor market evolved rapidly compared to university training? And in this case, how can you intervene as a trainer or consultant at this level?
We know the needs of our clients and above all we follow the evolutions throughout the world. As a result, we are an observatory to contribute to the evolution of programs, or even to be an actor in education through interventions by our teams in schools and universities. Here too, we can make suggestions.
Tunisia is promoting private initiative and independent work and promoting the services of employment offices and the development of related programs. How should this translate on the ground, in your opinion?
The whole point is to put coherence into this set of initiatives and to ensure the ability of each person to be eligible for a particular program. Indeed, the damage can be heavy if the support is not up to expectations.
What benefit could be found in a stronger public-private partnership in promoting employment when many claim that private structures need to work much more on their image and credibility to gain the trust of both their public counterparts and job seekers?
Your question is interesting. We need to do some cleaning up, you're right. But we shouldn't put everyone in the same boat. We have been fighting to structure the private employment sector for more than 8 years. I must admit that we are not helped. It is up to the state and private actors to create frameworks to restore confidence in job candidates and social partners who are right to be vigilant on these issues.
I believe that the time has come to do this work together with the state. We are willing to do so.
For there to be employment, there must be investment, but we are faced with a situation of lack of investment at the local level. In this situation, how should we react, in your opinion?
Promote local and international investment. I note that the Head of State has launched many initiatives on this subject. In addition, we must create original incentives to help companies recruit.
Give us examples of countries where private recruitment and temporary employment agencies have been able to help fight unemployment.
France, where a significant partnership with Pôle emploi has been signed to place job seekers, and it's working rather well.
I sincerely believe that a "Marshall Plan for employment" is needed, with governance dedicated to managing this plan like a private project and holding people accountable for the results. This is the real sign that will restore visibility and meaning for all young people.
Published on January 3, 2011
Posted online on January 4, 2011
Webmanagercenter.com
It is to this question and others that we answer with Jamal Belahrach, General Manager of the foreign subsidiaries of Manpower France.
Webmanagercenter: Where do you think we failed, so that young people take desperate measures because of long-term unemployment?
Jamal Belahrach: First, it must be said that youth unemployment affects all countries in the world and particularly our region, the Maghreb. Now, to answer your question, I would say, as far as I am concerned, it is the fact that we do not give strong signals to young people that puts them in a situation of despair. They need visibility and above all to feel a real mobilization and dynamic to help them with concrete actions beyond the grand speeches about their fundamental concerns.
The world has changed, our young people have other benchmarks, and institutions, politicians, and economic operators must follow this evolution.
What role can private recruitment companies play in the fight against unemployment when we know that the Maghreb states, to speak only of our region, are unable to overcome this problem?
Our role is to help job seekers, free of charge, to find the job that matches their skills, taking into account the needs of economic operators. We are experts on the subject, and at Manpower, for example, we have more than 60 years of experience worldwide. We know what works and what doesn't. We put this know-how at the service of young Tunisians, for 10 years now. Today, we have started collaborations with ANETI (National Agency for Employment and Independent Work) and some government services for jobs abroad. But we can go further. We have original ideas and we are ready to suggest them to national institutions.
What are the tools to be put in place between companies and HR consulting firms and public and private operators to find plausible solutions to eradicate this scourge that is prevalent in the Maghreb?
I think, first, that we need to bring this world together and build a real "Marshall Plan for employment". I have spoken about it before. It's not just a matter of tools, it's also a question of national mobilization with objectives and resources to match. The state, employers, and social partners must feel fully committed to this issue. The speech of the President of the Republic was clear. We must put it into practice so that it makes sense and that the implementation of the plan is rapid. The rapid evolution of economic and social life requires us to master time and not let ourselves go. Our young people expect actions, not words.
You are a job expert, why has unemployment become a structural problem in our country, in your opinion?
First, there was a major crisis whose consequences we are still paying for. On the other hand, we must accept the idea that there is a real problem relating to the mismatch between the supply of skills on the market and the demand of companies. I insist on the fact that the typology of our economies is undergoing a profound transformation, and therefore requires new skills. Humility will command us to reflect on this question in order to make decisions for the future.
I would add that the culture of diplomas should not take precedence over the development of skills based on knowledge, of course, but even more on know-how that will allow our young people to adapt and integrate well into our companies. It's the end of an era. Together, we must prepare the future.
Has the labor market evolved rapidly compared to university training? And in this case, how can you intervene as a trainer or consultant at this level?
We know the needs of our clients and above all we follow the evolutions throughout the world. As a result, we are an observatory to contribute to the evolution of programs, or even to be an actor in education through interventions by our teams in schools and universities. Here too, we can make suggestions.
Tunisia is promoting private initiative and independent work and promoting the services of employment offices and the development of related programs. How should this translate on the ground, in your opinion?
The whole point is to put coherence into this set of initiatives and to ensure the ability of each person to be eligible for a particular program. Indeed, the damage can be heavy if the support is not up to expectations.
What benefit could be found in a stronger public-private partnership in promoting employment when many claim that private structures need to work much more on their image and credibility to gain the trust of both their public counterparts and job seekers?
Your question is interesting. We need to do some cleaning up, you're right. But we shouldn't put everyone in the same boat. We have been fighting to structure the private employment sector for more than 8 years. I must admit that we are not helped. It is up to the state and private actors to create frameworks to restore confidence in job candidates and social partners who are right to be vigilant on these issues.
I believe that the time has come to do this work together with the state. We are willing to do so.
For there to be employment, there must be investment, but we are faced with a situation of lack of investment at the local level. In this situation, how should we react, in your opinion?
Promote local and international investment. I note that the Head of State has launched many initiatives on this subject. In addition, we must create original incentives to help companies recruit.
Give us examples of countries where private recruitment and temporary employment agencies have been able to help fight unemployment.
France, where a significant partnership with Pôle emploi has been signed to place job seekers, and it's working rather well.
I sincerely believe that a "Marshall Plan for employment" is needed, with governance dedicated to managing this plan like a private project and holding people accountable for the results. This is the real sign that will restore visibility and meaning for all young people.
Published on January 3, 2011
Posted online on January 4, 2011
Webmanagercenter.com
