Employment implications of alternative development strategies

Data (including 20 tables) on current (1977) labor supply and literacy and educational levels are presented and analyzed, and projections are made of labor availability and labor requirements for the period 1980-2000. Three major policy options to encourage the generation of employment are identified: (1) Option A - full employment as the primary planning goal; (2) Option B - a blend of social concern for employment and economic concern for the efficiency of products; and (3) the currently stressed Option C - rigorous subordination of employment to capital-intensive production. It is concluded that although no optimistic prognosis for the employment situation is possible, employment could be increased under Options A and B by: (1) a change from capital to labor-intensive strategies; (2) regionalization of nonagricultural production; (3) literacy training; and (4) redefinition of job-specific education and training needs. Seven tables delineating occupational groups according to rural and urban composition are appended.