MOBILITY OF LABOUR

MOBILITY OF LABOUR

This refers to the movement of labour from one type of occupation or place of work to another. It therefore comprises occupational and geographical mobility of labour.

Mobility of labour is economically significant in the sense that it reduces unemployment problems and raise standard of living of workers who are able to transfer their services from one occupation to another.

FACTORS INFLUENCING MOBILITY OF LABOUR

SOCIALITES: A worker may not want to move from where he works to another simply because he has long established socialites' friendships, memberships of clubs of association.

COST OF MOVEMENT: The cost involved in moving from one place to another order to secure a better job can prevent people to move about.

1.     SKILL OR TRAINING: For a worker to be able to move from one type of occupation to another he may need extra training and where this is difficult to obtain mobility will not take place.

2.     PROBLEMS OF ACCOMMODATION: This can be a hindrance to workers preparedness to charms his occupation or locality.

3.     TRADE UNION: Entry into some occupation possible only if certain conditions can be met by the intending worker e.g. qualification, experience, membership, of certain organizations as it is found out in accounting, medicine, law etc.

4.     IGNORANCE: sometimes due to poor transport and communication systems workers are unaware of better conditions elsewhere.

5.     GOVERNMENT POLICY: Labour mobility becomes restricted when government comes up with certain policies such as a freeze or embargo on employment for a certain period of time.