Ellee has an interesting post about the plight of unemployed graduates in Britain and I thought that readers would be interested to learn a little about the situation here:
First of all, what are the unemployment statistics for Italy as a whole? According to Eurostat, in 2008 the number of unemployed shown as a percentage of the total labour force was 6.9%, 5.9% among males and 8.4% among females. The figure was 21.3% among the under-25 age group. If we look at Sicily, where the total unemployment rate is said to be 25 - 26% but is probably higher, the figure rose to a staggering 42.9% among young people in 2001. In 2007, Eurostat calculated the figure for 15 - 24-year-olds to be 32.2%, still the highest in Europe.
The reasons for this are many and complex and the situation cannot be blamed solely or even mostly on the global recession: the fact that young people now enjoy better access to higher education and tend to prolong their studies is cited as a reason in one article I have read [not online] but surely many prolong their studies precisely because they fear, or know, that there are few jobs to be had?
The major factor is far more likely to be the way that the system works in Italy and particularly in Sicily: When I tell my Italian students that in the UK it is possible to apply directly for a professional job, they are flabbergasted, as in Italy they have to put themselves through a complicated series of "competitions" and the job is usually awarded on the results of these, with no interview. Apply this already flawed arrangement to Sicily, where, alongside a young generation obsessed with the technological revolution and social networking sites, the old ways persist, and you can imagine what happens - or maybe you can't: in some spheres it is impossible to get a job without a "recommendation" and in others it is even possible to "inherit" a job! The EU can bring in all the equal opportunities policies it likes and abundant are the pieces of paper on which these are circulated to all employers; it makes no difference.
Worryingly, in 2001, 14% of young Sicilians about to leave school said that they would not hesitate to seek the protection of the Mafia if this would secure them a recommendation for a job. Another 34% stated that they would not but that they could understand why others would do so. In the same poll, 49.7% felt unready to face the jobs market and most blamed their schools, nearly half blamed society in general and 7% blamed their families.
"I feel I will have to leave Sicily because I can't get a good job here unless I know someone important. It would be different if my family was rich", a student told me a year ago.
First of all, what are the unemployment statistics for Italy as a whole? According to Eurostat, in 2008 the number of unemployed shown as a percentage of the total labour force was 6.9%, 5.9% among males and 8.4% among females. The figure was 21.3% among the under-25 age group. If we look at Sicily, where the total unemployment rate is said to be 25 - 26% but is probably higher, the figure rose to a staggering 42.9% among young people in 2001. In 2007, Eurostat calculated the figure for 15 - 24-year-olds to be 32.2%, still the highest in Europe.
The reasons for this are many and complex and the situation cannot be blamed solely or even mostly on the global recession: the fact that young people now enjoy better access to higher education and tend to prolong their studies is cited as a reason in one article I have read [not online] but surely many prolong their studies precisely because they fear, or know, that there are few jobs to be had?
The major factor is far more likely to be the way that the system works in Italy and particularly in Sicily: When I tell my Italian students that in the UK it is possible to apply directly for a professional job, they are flabbergasted, as in Italy they have to put themselves through a complicated series of "competitions" and the job is usually awarded on the results of these, with no interview. Apply this already flawed arrangement to Sicily, where, alongside a young generation obsessed with the technological revolution and social networking sites, the old ways persist, and you can imagine what happens - or maybe you can't: in some spheres it is impossible to get a job without a "recommendation" and in others it is even possible to "inherit" a job! The EU can bring in all the equal opportunities policies it likes and abundant are the pieces of paper on which these are circulated to all employers; it makes no difference.
Worryingly, in 2001, 14% of young Sicilians about to leave school said that they would not hesitate to seek the protection of the Mafia if this would secure them a recommendation for a job. Another 34% stated that they would not but that they could understand why others would do so. In the same poll, 49.7% felt unready to face the jobs market and most blamed their schools, nearly half blamed society in general and 7% blamed their families.
"I feel I will have to leave Sicily because I can't get a good job here unless I know someone important. It would be different if my family was rich", a student told me a year ago.
11 comments:
Even with good jobs how can most afford to live there? I watched a TV show where people were house hunting and a 800 sq foot apartment house cost 500K-750K and was not even pretty! I've even looked at property in my families home town of Trabia,Sicily and a ruin cost just as much. One lady I spoke with in Trabia said her family inherited a house as most seem to, she even stated women were very lucky if their husband had job! Guess I won't be purchasing Sicilian retirement property anytime soon...
Thanks for the view of Sicilian unemployment. With almost a quarter of the young people unemployed, depression (hopelessness?) must run amuck. Thts's no way to grow up.
Last night I watched a history of the Mafia in Sicily on The History Channel. It was very disturbing.
This makes for uneasy reading Welshcakes
I agree with Nick in wondering about the rate of depression, etc. Some bewildering stats there WC, I am especially astounded by the process of applying for a position, how odd? The mafia connection scares me, what a fascinating post, thanks so much for sharing, I'm off to research some more on this xo
Hi, pink. It's one of the reasons young adults live with their parents for so long here. House prices round here aren't anything as high as that, though. You are right - a lot of people inherit houses here. Hi, Nick. I'm sure a lot of them are depressed but the strong family structure helps them through in a lot of cases. I think I've seen the documentary you refer to and it was disturbing. We don't have Mafia problems in this part of Sicily. It is worrying, though. Hi, jams. Yes, it does and with the recession, it is not going to improve soon. Hi, Kyles. Yes, the fact that this system can survive in Italy is amazing. I do think that attitudes are changing regarding the Mafia, though.
Of course, youth unemployment is a huge worry. Two of my three sons are in employment and I am very thankful that they graduated ahead of all this turmoil. My youngest son is a medical student in the UK, so hopefully he will be ok and my daughter is still at school, so I can't start worrying yet. I do feel though that if young people don't get that first job they quickly become demoralised. We have to support our young people in these difficult times, but I don't pretend to know how.
That's interesting, WL. Historically, am I right in saying that there was much emigration from Sicily to the USA as there were no jobs there? What are the main industries there? I imagine that it's still fairly heavily agricultural? I've always thought that the Italian govt should make a "Sicily Valley" (like Silicon Valley) - or possibly a "Sicily Scene"! - and give IT and tech companies tax breaks to set up there.
I thought I commented on this but I've forgotten it now. I'll see if I can remember.
Hi, Mary. You must be very relieved that your sons have already graduated. I agree - it's a sad world indeed when young people feel they have no opportunities. Hi, WW. Yes, a lot of emigration to the US from Sicily plus internal emigration from Sicily to the north of Italy. Still a lot of agriculture here but also oil refineries, ceramics and of course the food industry. More notice is now being taken of artisan work. Hi, James. I didn't receive any other comment from you on this one - let's blame blogger!
It's often not how good you are but who you know. A very sad situation but then it tough times everyone takes any advantage they can find.
Those statistics are appalling aren't they?
Hi, jmb. Yes, you are right. Very sad. Yes, the statistics are appalling and everybody here believes that the reality is even worse.
Post a Comment