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Emerging Strains in GCC Labor Markets
Author:
Mr. Ugo Fasano-Filho
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and
Rishi Goyal null

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5853-9207
Series:
IMF Working Papers
Volume/Issue:
Volume 2004: Issue 071
Language:
English
Publication Date:
01 Apr 2004
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451849271.001
ISBN:
9781451849271
ISSN:
1018-5941
Pages:
36
Keywords:
WP; wage; private sector; GCC country; GCC countries; labor market policies; matching function framework; unemployment rate; reservation wage; wage bill; wage expectation; Labor markets; Wages; Employment; Labor force; Unemployment; Europe; Asia and Pacific
Legal-disclaimer:
IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.
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Unemployment pressures among nationals are emerging in the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). 2 At a time when a rapidly growing number of young nationals are entering the labor force and governments are no longer able to act as employers of first and last resort, the non-oil sector continues to rely on expatriate labor to meet its labor requirements in most GCC countries. In this environment, policymakers face the related challenges of addressing unemployment pressures while striking a balance between maintaining a liberal foreign labor policy and a reasonable level of competitiveness of the non-oil sector. Using a matching function framework, this paper examines labor market policies that are likely to expand the ability to hire nationals in the non-oil sector. It finds that an effective labor strategy should focus on strengthening investment in human capital, adopting institutional reforms, and promoting a vibrant non-oil economy.
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Cover IMF Working Papers
IMF Working Papers
ISSN:
1018-5941
Publisher:
International Monetary Fund