EDUCATED YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT: a threat to Nepal’s prosperity
माघ ०२, २०८०
16 Jan 2024, Tuesday
WHAT’S THE ISSUE?
Generally, employment is defined as working in accordance with your desires and qualifications with the goal of earning money. The term unemployment refers to a situation where a person actively searches for employment but is unable to find work. Since youths make up the majority of a nation’s labor force, there is a greater need for employment opportunities during this time. At the moment, the rising tide of educated youth unemployment which could swallow up an entire generation has been an emerging issue in our country.
WHY IS IT A THREAT TO NEPAL’S PROSPERITY?
Young people are regarded as the backbone of our nation. And without a strong backbone, how can a nation pursue prosperity? The worst for the country and the biggest threats to our dream of a prosperous Nepal will be youth unemployment, inferiority complex, and youth leaving for foreign countries if the youth, who are primarily responsible for the development of a country, are unable to find employment, fail to find a conducive environment for self-employment, and do not perceive any way out of the pain of poverty. A depressed mentality suffering from the problem of unemployment can neither think of anything new and positive nor can come up with noble, inventive ideas or innovative solutions needed for country’s development as a whole. From my point of view, youth employment and the prosperity of the country are like two sides of the same coin.
THE GROWING TREND OF FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT
Due to a lack of appropriate employment opportunities, Nepal’s brightest minds are migrating overseas legally or illegally, our strong arms that are capable of anything are compelled to work in gulf counties. For hours, people have been waiting in line to fill out the form for foreign employment and their qualification certificates with no worth are kept in a cupboard or elsewhere in the house. Many workers who have migrated for foreign employment are least protected. Additionally, they don’t get the salary that has been promised to them and they have been exploited in the name of foreign employment. This can have devastating effects on victims, leading to emotional distress and, in extreme cases, even suicide. The vision of a prosperous Nepal will never hold true if this trend of foreign employment is continued and if their remittances are the only source to support for our nation’s economy. In other words, the country won’t pursue prosperity until youths are discouraged migrating overseas, environment and conditions are established for migrated youths to return back, and their enthusiasm is directed toward developing the nation. And for this, creation of numerous employment opportunities as well as self-employment opportunities is mandatory.
Additionally, adapting adequate education system that enhances quality education and important skills is also essential, as Nepal’s educational system often fails to provide the necessary skills and knowledge demanded by the job market to young individuals.
(MISS REGMI IS CURRENTLY STUDYING IN GRADE 10 IN AMARSINGH SECONDARY SCHOOL, POKHARA)
