劳动力老龄化

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企业冻结招聘!英国失业率逼近5%
Guo Ji Jin Rong Bao· 2025-08-26 11:23
Employment Market Overview - The UK employment market is facing its most severe test since the pandemic, with the unemployment rate expected to rise to 5% by August, the highest level since early 2021, surpassing the Bank of England's forecast of 4.9% for Q4 [1] - The official unemployment rate for Q2 was recorded at 4.7%, with London having the highest unemployment rate in the UK at approximately 6% among residents aged 16 to 65 [2] Recruitment Trends - The current employment slowdown is primarily due to widespread hiring freezes rather than mass layoffs, leading to a significant reduction in job vacancies [2] - Job vacancies decreased by 44,000 in the three months ending in June, marking the 37th consecutive decline and bringing the total vacancies well below the pre-pandemic level of 718,000 [2] Wage Growth Dynamics - Despite the employment downturn, wages are experiencing strong growth, with an average increase of around 5%, creating a perplexing situation where job availability is decreasing while wages continue to rise [3] Structural Challenges - Structural factors contributing to employment weakness include an aging workforce and an increase in the number of individuals classified as "long-term sick," which is negatively impacting productivity [4] - The proportion of the population aged 16 to 65 engaged in economic activities has declined since the pandemic, making the UK an outlier among developed economies [4] Policy Dilemmas - Policymakers are caught in a dilemma between high inflation and weak employment, with the Bank of England needing to balance these competing pressures [6] - The Labour government has introduced initiatives like the "Youth Guarantee" plan and allocated £45 million to the Department for Work and Pensions to boost labor participation, although the effectiveness of these measures has been limited due to controversies [6] - The UK economy grew by only 0.3% in Q2, and rising unemployment could undermine consumer confidence and investor expectations, indicating potential fragility in the economic recovery [6]
波音3200人罢工!美国军工“定时炸弹”被引爆
Guo Ji Jin Rong Bao· 2025-08-04 14:04
Core Viewpoint - Boeing faces significant challenges as approximately 3,200 workers at its defense plant in St. Louis initiated a strike, marking the first such action since the mid-1990s, following the rejection of a new contract proposal [1][2] Group 1: Strike Details - The strike is organized by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837, affecting production lines for fighter jets F-15, F/A-18, and some missile products [1] - The latest contract proposal from Boeing included a 20% wage increase over four years, a one-time signing bonus of $5,000, and improved sick leave and vacation terms, but workers felt it did not adequately reflect their contributions [2] Group 2: Boeing's Recovery Challenges - Boeing's CEO attempted to downplay the strike's impact, stating it is smaller than last year's strike, but the labor dispute still casts a shadow over the company's recovery efforts amid low morale and ongoing scrutiny [2] - Despite recent signs of recovery, including reduced financial losses and a significant order from Qatar Airways for 210 aircraft, Boeing continues to grapple with the repercussions of past safety incidents and the COVID-19 pandemic [2] Group 3: Industry-Wide Labor Issues - The strike highlights deeper structural labor issues within the U.S. defense industry, particularly at Boeing's St. Louis facility, which is crucial for producing key military equipment [4] - A report by PwC and the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) indicates that 29% of the aerospace and defense workforce is over 55 years old, with a projected risk of 3.5 million skilled worker shortages by 2026 [4] - The industry faces challenges in attracting young talent, as new graduates show little interest in aerospace and defense careers, preferring sectors with better pay flexibility and job experiences [4][5] Group 4: Long-term Implications - Experts have warned that the lack of qualified workers could severely impact the U.S. military's industrial base, emphasizing the need for improved wages, benefits, and training to retain skilled workers [5] - The labor issues in the defense sector are seen as structural and long-term, posing significant obstacles to the future development of the U.S. defense industry if not addressed [5]