Bridgetown.
A survey funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and conducted by the Sir Arthur Lewis Institue of the University of the West Indies has revealed that almost a quarter of Barbados’ adult population does not want to work.
The survey, called the Country Assessment Of Living Conditions (CALC), was presented to Prime Minister Freundel Stuart at his Cabinet Office yesterday.
Close to 7 000 were people were surveyed and “the data demonstrated that of the voluntarily unemployed, 21 per cent did not want to work and eight per cent were discouraged with the labour market”.
According to the survey, 38 per cent of the youth who were voluntarily unemployed simply “did not want to work”, with some of their reasons being unattractive wages, unsuitable employment, and a preference for freedom and leisure.
Potential entrants are disinclined to enter the work-force if the wages are not attractive enough or if they consider the work below them.
The report stated the issue of high reservation to wages may also be linked to certification where, for those certified they expect a certain level of remuneration.
In addition, if available employment opportunities are below the level of certification of the individual, they may be disinclined to enter the job market, the report said.
The 113 page report subtitle the Human Development Challenges In a Global Crisis: Addressing Growth and Social Inclusion was based on research gathered between 2009 and 2010.
It was funded by the CDB to the tune of half million dollars.
