Critical Evaluation:

Question

Systematically outline an evaluation of each element of the work to achieve the overall purpose used evidence, from the work itself as well as other sources.
To back and illustrate assessment of elements of work.
Form and overall evaluation based on critical reading.
More explanation.

Policies and Strategies.
Institutional Framework and Coordination.
In recent years, the Department of Legal and Industry Relation (DLIR) has focused mostly on industrial relations issues and devoted comparatively few resources to employment generation. The organizational structure of the DLIR currently lacks focal points or desks dedicated to employment services promotions for women, youth, or persons living with disabilities or other vulnerable groups.
Despite the importance of a sound legal framework, progress towards reforming labor legislation has been limited. The labor legislation review process has been ongoing for more than eight years and is continuing. Labor legislation applies only to the formal economy and hence only for small proportion of the Papua New Guinea labor force. Furthermore, much other related legislation remains outdated. The enforcement of existing legislations such as the Work Permit Guideline has been weak owing to financial and human resources constraints. In addition, the absence of a monitoring and evaluation unit with the DLIR has limited the ability to assess the results of existing policies and plans.
Youth Employment.
Each year the number of school leavers exceeds the number of new jobs created. According to the National Youth Policy 2020-2030, 80% (100,000) of young people are pushed out of the school system annually. There are also limited numbers of opportunities for post-secondary education. Furthermore, many young people leave school without the necessary skills or experiences to find employment and spend a long time trying to find paid work.
Initiatives to support youth employment have been limited, with public employment services virtually defunct and no national strategy for matching jobseekers with vacancies. The Government has recognized the need to address the situation of youth employment. The National Youth Policy 2007-2017 was adopted to improve position of young people age 12-25 years in the economy. In 2014, Parliament approved the National Youth Development Authority Act, setting up the National Youth Development Authority.
Employment in the Informal Sector.
The informal economy accounts for most of all jobs in Papua New Guinea. It generates incomes for families, women, young people, and persons living with disabilities mostly in the agricultural sector. It helps to reduce poverty and crime and contributes to the long-term development of Papua New Guinea. However, working conditions in the informal economy are typically poor and incomes are low and volatile. Initiatives to promote better working conditions in the informal economy would help to improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged groups including women, young people and persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

Gender inclusive Development.
In 2015, Papua New Guinea was ranked 154 out of 188 countries in the United Nations Development Programmed Gender Inequality Index, reflecting the unequal treatment of women in access to economic opportunities. Women in Papua New Guinea also face distinct disadvantages in labor market. Although their labor force participation is nearly or par with that for men, women lag considerably in their access to decent jobs. For example, 26.6 percentages of employed men were paid wage employees, while the comparable ratio for women was merely 11 per cent. Likewise, women were nearly three times as likely as men to depend solely on informal activities for their employment.
In this context, different national policy frameworks prioritize the promotion of gender equality. The PNGDSP 2030 notes that PNG cannot reach its potential if inequality continues to exist and expresses a commitment to improving gender equality. One of its goals is that all citizens, irrespective of gender, will have equal opportunity to participate and benefit from the development of the country. It also includes target for improved opportunities for female wage employment by 2030. Via the Universal Basic Education Plan 2010-2019, under the overall leadership of the female education, especially in the early years.
Similarly, the National Population Policy 2015-2024 includes objectives on gender equality in employment. This includes objectives to increase considerably the proportion of women in higher occupations and to significantly improve the gender equality with regards to rural cash income by 2024. By contrast, the MTDP III, Papua New Guinean’s most recent national planning document is less explicitly about gender related development challenges.

Answer 1

Critical Evaluation of Employment Policies and Strategies in Papua New Guinea

1. Policies and Strategies

The effectiveness of delving into employment policies in Papua New Guinea (PNG) largely hinges on how effectively these policies align with the actual needs of the population, particularly marginalized groups. While the Department of Legal and Industrial Relations (DLIR) has made strides in addressing industrial relations issues, its relative neglect of employment generation—especially focused on women, youth, and persons with disabilities—poses significant challenges.

• Evaluation: The critique here stems from the lack of targeted desks for vulnerable groups within the DLIR. This failure reflects a profound disconnect between policy and implementation as it inhibits tailored interventions which are essential for fostering employment generation in the specified demographics. The findings of the National Youth Policy emphasize that there’s inadequate focus on skill development and job matching, and echo a similar sentiment regarding gender disparities in labor access.

Evidence: The National Youth Policy 2020-2030, stating that 80% of young people are disengaged from the school system, aligns with the reported deficiencies in post-secondary education opportunities. This further illustrates the urgent need for institutional capacity building in the DLIR.

2. Institutional Framework and Coordination

The institutional framework guiding employment generation needs significant reform, especially in aiding outdoor initiatives for policy achievements. The current lack of a monitoring and evaluation unit within the DLIR remains a substantial limitation as it underscores the absence of a structured feedback mechanism.

• Evaluation: The ongoing, delayed labor legislation review process highlights systemic inefficiencies that hinder the formulation of policies that adequately address the numerous dynamics of the informal sector. This reflects broader governance challenges in PNG, undermining labor rights and protections that could enhance workforce participation beyond the formal economy.

Evidence: Reports indicate that enforcement mechanisms are weak predominantly due to resource constraints (financial and human). Supporting literature, including various UN findings, emphasizes that effective labor regulations are paramount in facilitating job security and equitable work conditions.

3. Youth Employment

The situation surrounding youth employment in PNG is alarming, with annual school leavers eclipsing job creation numbers. The unaddressed educational void and skill mismatch contribute to a labor market inundated with unprepared young individuals.

• Evaluation: The government’s recognition through the National Youth Development Authority Act lays a foundation for progress; however, the absence of a comprehensive, actionable national strategy is a stark limitation. The ineffective public employment services hinder the potential for successful job placements.

Evidence: Further analysis backs the claim that without a national strategy directly linking educational output with labor market needs, the cycle of underemployment and unemployment among youth is likely to perpetuate, as indicated by the outcomes of the National Youth Policy 2007-2017.

4. Employment in the Informal Sector

The informal economy remains a significant employment source, yet it is fraught with insecurity and poor working conditions, primarily affecting women, youth, and marginalized communities.

• Evaluation: There is a critical need for targeted strategies to enhance working conditions within the informal sector. The economic contributions of this sector are undeniable, yet the lack of regulations perpetuates vulnerability for many workers.

Evidence: Studies from the International Labour Organization (ILO) reflect the importance of recognizing the informal economy, suggesting that policies must adapt to improve not only the livelihoods of workers therein but also to enhance their rights and opportunities.

5. Gender Inclusive Development

The gender disparities illustrated in employment statistics strongly reinforce the necessity of gender-focused interventions. Despite various frameworks aimed at promoting gender equality, real-world application remains sluggish.

• Evaluation: While policies such as the PNG Development Strategic Plan (PNGDSP) 2030 and the National Population Policy 2015-2024 set ambitious targets to improve gender equality in employment, their execution appears half-hearted. The contrasting stance of MTDP III, which lacks a strong emphasis on gender-related challenges, could signify a regression or dilution of previously established commitments.

Evidence: Data indicating that women’s employment often skews towards informal sectors—a whopping three times more likely than men—further underscores the need for legislative reforms. Reports from the UNDP reveal how gender-based employment disparities inhibit overall economic improvement, emphasizing the urgency of inclusive economic policies.

Conclusion

In synthesis, a critical reading of the policies surrounding employment in Papua New Guinea highlights significant deficiencies affecting youth and marginalized groups. The review of labor legislation, inadequate institutional framework, lack of coherent youth employment strategies, informal sector neglect, and gender disparities collectively indicate that existing frameworks require a thorough overhaul to be effectively implemented. The evidence consistently points to an urgent need for policy recalibrations, robust legislative reforms, sustained monitoring, and the creation of strategic plans to ensure inclusive growth that harnesses the potential of all demographic segments within PNG.