With the second highest unemployment rate in the world, up to 50% according to the Social and Economic Development Research Center (SEDRC), Yemen coalition government has said from the get go that its main priority would be to boost the job marker and open up new avenues to its youth, the segment of population most affected by a lack of work opportunities. SEDRC estimated in August 2013 that in some regions of Yemen youth unemployment could reach 73.3%, a dizzying and very troublesome statistic given that extreme poverty and instability have proven to go hand in hand.
But Yemen officials have a plan they say will put the country’s youth back on track. Yemen is investing $500 have confirmed officials into a national youth employment plan. This new program which will be implemented and supervised by the Ministries of Planning and Social Affairs has already been approved by the government mid-September for 2014-2016 with the support of the Friends of Yemen.
As per quoted by Saba (state news agency), “The plan seeks to provide immediate job opportunities in labour-intensive fields, build the skills of young people and support promising economic sectors, and facilitate the movement of young workers to local and foreign markets.”
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have confirmed they would support Yemen in this new endeavour.
Speaking to al-Shorfa on the youth employment plan, Nabil al-Suhaibi, deputy minister of social affairs and labour for the workforce sector explained, “The plan aims to reduce rising unemployment in Yemen among university graduates and others.”