Five (5) APA referencing styles

INTRODUCTION:

The work titled "The National Employment Policy - Regional Consultative Workshops" was created on March 8, 2021, under the leadership of Prime Minister James Marape, along with the Executive Directors, Secretary, and members of Parliament. This policy aims to reduce poverty and enhance the livelihoods of the citizens of Papua New Guinea (PNG) by fostering inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development through the promotion of decent employment opportunities. The National Employment Policy (NEP) emphasizes the importance of creating income-earning opportunities and increasing self-employment options to improve the living standards of Papua New Guineans, while establishing a robust framework for effective labor market management in the country.

SUMMARY:

The National Employment Policy 2021-2031 is a 10 year Policy that provides a significant platform for employment sector developments and is aligned to key national policy framework and development strategies. Hence, these include, aligning to the Preamble of the Constitution that lays out the five National Goals and Directive Principles, the Vision 2050, the Papua New Guinea Development Strategic plan (PNGDSP) 2010-2030, and the Medium Term Development Plan III (MTDP III) 2018-2022 and guided by the 21 principles of the Strategy for Responsible Sustainable Development.

The goal of the policy is to reduce poverty through fostering employment growth, and the objectives are aimed toward increasing opportunities for decent and paid employment; strengthened the effectiveness of labour market governance and promote social inclusion and security of employment for the work force. The policy calls for a structural reform, including several legislative reviews, and stakeholders’ key roles and responsibilities to enhance the effective implementation of it.

The National Employment Policy integrates the objectives of the existing and recent Government policies on employment related issues. These include the National Informal Economy Policy 2011-2015, the National Population Policy 2015-2024, the National SME Policy 2016, the national Trade Policy 2017, the National Youth Employment Framework 2016, the National Training Policy 2016, and the National Occupational Safety and Health Policy. The National Employment Policy is subject to review after five years of its implementation.

CRITICAL EVALUATION:

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 disconnects 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 conclusion, while the National Employment Policy of Papua New Guinea sets an ambitious framework aimed at promoting decent employment and reducing poverty, the effectiveness of its implementation faces substantial challenges, particularly in its responsiveness to the needs of marginalized groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities. The systemic disconnect between policy development and execution, alongside inadequate institutional frameworks and monitoring mechanisms, undermines the potential for meaningful progress in the employment landscape. Additionally, the persistent issues of skill mismatches, insecure informal sector employment, and insufficient gender-inclusive initiatives highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and targeted interventions. To achieve the goals laid out in the policy, a concerted effort is required to align educational outcomes with labor market demands while reinforcing the rights and protections of all workers.

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.

1 answer

Here are five examples of how to reference the work titled "The National Employment Policy - Regional Consultative Workshops" in APA style. Note that the specific details can change based on whether the source is a government report, a webpage, or any other type of document. For the examples below, I have assumed it is a government report.

Example 1: Government Report

Format: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the work: Subtitle if applicable. Publisher. URL (if applicable)

Reference: Government of Papua New Guinea. (2021). The national employment policy - Regional consultative workshops. Prime Minister’s Office. [URL if available]

Example 2: Corporate Author

Format: Corporate Author. (Year). Title of the work: Subtitle if applicable. Publisher.

Reference: Papua New Guinea Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. (2021). The national employment policy - Regional consultative workshops. Government of Papua New Guinea.

Example 3: Online Document

Format: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the work: Subtitle if applicable. Publisher. URL

Reference: Papua New Guinea National Planning Office. (2021). The national employment policy - Regional consultative workshops. Retrieved from [URL]

Example 4: Report with DOI

Format: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the work: Subtitle if applicable. Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxxxx

Reference: Marape, J., & Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. (2021). The national employment policy - Regional consultative workshops. Government of Papua New Guinea. https://doi.org/10.xxxxx

Example 5: Edited Book or Chapter

Format: Editor, E. E. (Ed.). (Year). Title of the work: Subtitle if applicable (pp. pages). Publisher.

Reference: Marape, J. (Ed.). (2021). The national employment policy - Regional consultative workshops. Government of Papua New Guinea.

Note

Make sure to adjust the details according to the actual source (e.g., if it has a specific author or editor, or if it can be found at a particular URL). The guidelines for APA referencing also include additional formatting rules such as italics, capitalization, and indentation, which should be followed closely in your final citation.