Jobs with high development payoffs spur prosperity: WB

Jobs are a cornerstone of development, with a payoff far beyond income alone, particularly in developing countries, says the World Bank’s World Development Report 2013.

The report, made public yesterday, includes over 800 surveys and censuses to arrive at a conclusion that more than 3 billion people are working. But nearly half work in farming, small household enterprises, or in casual or seasonal day labour, safety nets are modest or sometimes non-existent and earnings are often meager.

Noting that over 70 percent of jobs in Nepal are in or linked to agriculture, the WB says that extra emphasis must be placed on improving farming productivity for small landholders

According to the bank, other particular features for Nepal were the post-conflict situation and the role of jobs to re-connect the social fabric and the scope for strategic bilateral agreements to improve social protection for migrant Nepali workers.

“The report offers many useful insights as Nepal prepares its next Three Year Plan and embarks on an ambitious agenda of inclusive, employment-centric growth,” said Tahseen Sayed, World Bank Country Manager for Nepal. nepalnews.com