The state of the working union around the world

As the US struggles with a 9% unemployment rate this labor day, things seem pretty bleak for the American Worker. Though 9% ranks poorly compared to other developed countries, it is a gold standard compared to countries around the world with staggering unemployment rates such as

• South Africa  25%
• Kenya 40%
• Puerto Rico 59.7%
• Zimbabwe 90%

Some of these numbers are staggering and explain the hopelessness of the youth who grow up knowing they would be lucky to ever find a steady job. It explains why some of the riots around the world pick up such great steam with all the simmering tensions of frustrated citizens. Though the unemployment numbers are extremely high for some countries, they do not tell the real story of the working conditions of workers around the world. Here are some facts to consider

• There are 50 to 100 million domestic workers worldwide who are excluded from employee protection legislation
• In many countries you can forget even wishing for a job if you are disabled
• 80 million kids labor in extremely hazardous conditions
• More than 250 million children between the age of 5 and 14 do back breaking work
• According to the International Confederation of free trade unions, there are 1.2 million fatalities on the job every year
• Forty Percent of the World's population, almost 3 billion people, live on less than $2 a day, with 1.3 billion living on less than $1 a day
• 70% of the world's poor are women and girls

These are sobering facts for those of us who have a safe job and decent wages. If you happen to be in this situation, celebrate labor day with a grateful heart and an acceptance of the responsibility to be part of the change you want to see. You can insulate yourself but is that really living? Happy Labor Day America!

Sources:
http://mhssn.igc.org/gbrown.htm
http://www.bespokeinvest.com/thinkbig/2011/1/14/global-unemployment-rates.html
http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/lang--en/index.htm