U.N. Report Sees Need for 500 Million New Jobs

The world will have to create half a billion jobs over the next 10 years to reduce unemployment and accommodate workers coming into the labor force, the International Labor Organization said in its annual report. “Although there have been some significant positive developments, the overall global employment picture remains deeply flawed and of considerable concern,” said Rashid Amjad, chief author of the World Employment Report 2001. The labor group, a U.N. agency, estimates that 160 million people are unemployed, a rise of 20 million since the onset of the Asian economic crisis in 1997. Two-thirds of the new jobs will be required in Asia, while only 3% are required in Western Europe and North America combined, the report said.