6.2.4 - Globalisation and Employment
Enroll to start learning
You’ve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Introduction to Globalisation and Employment
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson

Today, we'll discuss how globalisation impacts employment. Can anyone explain what globalisation means?

Is it about how countries are more connected through trade and culture?

Exactly! Globalisation refers to increased interdependence among nations. Now, think about its impact on job markets. How might globalisation create new job opportunities?

Jobs in tech like IT and BPO have increased because of it!

Great point! This also presents a shift from traditional jobs to technology-oriented careers. Remember that acronym: IT stands for 'Information Technology', which is the driving force behind many job opportunities now. Any challenges?

Some people might lose their traditional jobs because of global competition.

Right! Globalisation can disadvantage many artisans and farmers due to cheaper imports. We need to keep this in mind as we discuss employment changes.
Impact on Urban Middle-Class Youth
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson

Let's explore how globalisation particularly benefits urban youth. What opportunities have emerged?

Working in call centers and tech companies. Many are learning specific skills instead of traditional education.

Correct! Skills development is crucial here. Remember: Skill + Opportunity = Success. What does this mean for traditional degrees?

It seems like degrees are less valuable than actual technical skills now.

Exactly! The job market is shifting towards skill-based hiring. However, what do you think about the long-term health of job security?

It sounds risky since jobs can be unstable.

That’s a key concern! It's crucial to advocate for job security in an ever-changing economy.
Employment Disparities
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson

We’ve talked about opportunities, but let’s not forget the disparities. How does globalisation affect rural communities?

They might face job losses due to cheaper foreign goods?

Precisely! Farmers and artisans struggle against low-cost imports. Let's take 'Artisan' as an example. What's happening to them?

They can't compete with cheaper goods and are losing their livelihoods.

Absolutely! This creates a cycle of poverty in these communities. What solutions do you think could help mitigate these inequities?

Maybe government policies that protect local industries and provide retraining?

Right! Supportive policies are crucial for protecting vulnerable sectors.
Globalisation as a Double-Edged Sword
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson

To wrap up, let’s summarize globalisation’s impacts. Is it more beneficial or harmful?

It has both upsides and downsides!

Exactly! Remember: 'Opportunities for some, challenges for others.' How can we address the negatives while leveraging the positives?

We need inclusive growth policies that ensure everyone benefits from globalisation.

Great insight! Protecting jobs while fostering innovation is vital. That’s our key takeaway!
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
Globalisation has caused significant shifts in employment dynamics in India, offering new career avenues in the IT sector and other industries while also worsening job insecurity for many traditional occupations. The uneven impacts of globalisation underscore the disparities it creates in society.
Detailed
Globalisation and Employment
Globalisation has introduced intricate changes to employment landscapes across the globe, particularly in India. While the Indian economy has seen the emergence of new job opportunities through the IT revolution and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), these advancements have not been uniformly beneficial for all socioeconomic groups. Urban middle-class youth now engage in diverse fields like technology, retail, and service sectors, reflecting a shift from traditional degrees toward skill-oriented training.
However, the allure of such opportunities is juxtaposed with the alarming employment gap existing in South Asia, particularly highlighted in an ILO report. Despite overall economic growth, job creation has been disappointing, leading to an unfortunate reality for many—as conventional jobs diminish, they face heightened competition and precarious employment conditions. This section further illustrates how globalisation does not merely spawn new opportunities but also recalibrates existing industries, often displacing established workers in agriculture and crafts. A key example discussed is the impact on traditional occupations, highlighting the struggles of artisans and farmers against cheaper imports that threaten their livelihoods. Overall, the effects of globalisation on employment exhibit a multifaceted contrast: while affording some advantages, it concurrently accentuates inequities, showcasing the urgent need for policies that address these disparities.
Youtube Videos










Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Impact of Globalisation on Employment
Chapter 1 of 2
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
Another key issue regarding globalisation and labour is the relationship between employment and globalisation. Here too we see the uneven impact of globalisation. For the middle-class youth from urban centres, globalisation and the IT revolution has opened up new career opportunities. Instead of routinely picking up B.Sc./B.A./B.Com. degree from colleges, many young persons are learning computer languages at computer institutes, taking up jobs at call centres or Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies, working as sales persons in shopping malls or picking up jobs at the various restaurants that have opened up. Yet as Box 6.5 shows, broader trends of employment are disappointing.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk explains how globalisation affects employment opportunities differently across various demographics. While it provides new opportunities for urban youth, especially in fields like IT and customer service, it also highlights that overall job creation has not kept pace with economic growth, resulting in a disappointing employment scenario in broader terms. This means that although some individuals benefit from the global job market, many still face challenges when looking for work.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a city where a new technology fair opens up, presenting various job opportunities in IT. Young individuals who are tech-savvy can easily secure well-paying jobs in this fair, but if you look at the overall job market in the city, many others, especially from rural areas or those with traditional skills, may find themselves struggling to find work, as the new jobs often require different skills.
Employment Gap Despite Economic Growth
Chapter 2 of 2
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
The poverty rate is particularly high in India, Nepal and Bangladesh,” states an ILO report “Labour and Social Trends in Asia and the Pacific 2005… The study provides a stark analysis of a growing ‘employment gap’ in the Asia region. It states that the creation of new jobs has failed to keep pace with the region’s impressive economic growth. Between 2003 and 2004, employment in Asia and the Pacific increased by a disappointing 1.6 per cent, or by 25 million jobs, to a total of 1.588 billion jobs, compared to the strong economic growth rate of over 7 per cent.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk discusses the disconnection between economic growth and job creation in Asia, pointing out that even with significant economic development, the rate of new employment opportunities is not sufficient. The stats indicate that just a small fraction of new jobs was created in relation to the rapid economic growth during that period, showcasing a significant employment gap.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a tree that grows really tall and wide but produces very few apples. The tree represents the economy, which is flourishing, while the limited apples symbolize the insufficient job opportunities. Just like a farmer would be disappointed with a tree that gives little fruit despite its size, the workforce feels disheartened by the lack of new jobs despite healthy economic indicators.
Key Concepts
-
Globalisation: The process of increased interconnectedness among countries.
-
Employment Gap: Disparity in job creation relative to growth in the workforce.
-
BPO: Business process outsourcing as a significant employment sector.
-
Urban Middle Class: The demographic benefiting from new job opportunities.
Examples & Applications
A surge in the IT and BPO sectors providing jobs for urban youth.
Farmers losing their livelihoods due to cheaper imported goods.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
Jobs appear like fruit on trees, Globalisation brings them with ease.
Stories
Imagine an artisan who once thrived, now competing with imports, barely survives. This story highlights the struggle many face due to globalisation.
Memory Tools
G-R-E-A-T: Globalisation Reduces Employment And creates new Trends.
Acronyms
BPO
Business Processes Outsourced for efficiency
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Globalisation
The process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence among countries, typically involving economic, cultural, political, and social exchanges.
- Employment Gap
The disparity between the number of job opportunities created and the number of new jobs needed to accommodate a growing workforce.
- BPO (Business Process Outsourcing)
A service where business processes are outsourced to third-party service providers to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
- Urban Middle Class
A socioeconomic group typical of cities with a moderate level of income, often possessing university degrees and employed in skilled sectors.
Reference links
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.