Structure for Young Workers: Unveiling a Harsh Existence

Structure for Young Workers: Unveiling a Harsh Existence

Lifting the Curtain on Youth Workers' Struggles: A Global Perspective

The results from a survey involving 1,700 participants in Australia, the UK, and Latin America paint a vivid picture of the mounting frustrations faced by young workers. The study, conducted by the Young Workers' Lab at UNI Global Union in 2019, uncovers the multifaceted challenges that young workers encounter in their professional lives, primarily stemming from insufficient wages, rising costs, digitalization, and poor mental health.

This single-question survey, with inputs from partners in each region, delved into the biggest challenges young workers are currently facing in relation to work. The findings below shed light on the common hurdles young workers face across the three regions:

Inadequate Wages

Young workers across all regions express frustration regarding low pay.

United Kingdom:The UK workforce highlights that their wages are not keeping up with inflation, particularly for young workers. Apart from increased living and housing costs, many young workers echo the need for their employers to value them beyond their initial skills and encourage growth. Solutions include pay progression and financial recognition for enhancing skills and expertise over time.

Latin America:In this region, dissatisfaction toward low pay and high rents is prevalent. Workers report feeling underappreciated and exploited, with additional concerns over poor enforcement of labor laws. Anxieties also stem from recent factory closures and companies in crisis.

Australia:Pay for public holidays and Sundays is a primary concern in Australia. Workers voiced the need to earn a living wage amidst rising prices, growing financial insecurity, and struggling to make ends meet, even while working and attending university.

Stress, Discrimination, and Mental Health

Latin America:Workers denounce sexual harassment as a prevalent issue in a male-dominated society rife with gender stereotypes. They also stress the detrimental impact of being treated like a machine, with no breaks, and more time expected at work than with their families.

Australia:Australian workers grapple with feeling undervalued and unappreciated, leading to poor mental health outcomes due to power abuses by management. Abuses of power create unhealthy relationships, and workers struggle to push back on these abuses.

United Kingdom:Unemployment relationships are a significant concern in the UK, particularly due to diminishing staff levels. This leads to increased workload stress, which often spills over into workers' personal lives.

Inadequate Skills or Training

Latin America:Workers express anxiety over the impact of digitalization and the subsequent consequences for decent work. The need for better training and the continuous requirement to learn new technology loom large.

Australia:The need for better training is also a pressing issue in Australia. Workers highlight poor guidance, leading to mistakes and a lack of self-confidence in their abilities.

United Kingdom:In the UK, workers express frustration with limited knowledge sharing due to generational change and strained financial resources. They struggle to find avenues for advice on improving their job performance and increasing productivity. This issue goes beyond just skills; inadequate IT infrastructure is another common complaint.

This global survey offers a glimpse into the core struggles that young workers face around the world. Young workers strive to learn and improve their work, but unfortunately, their concerns often go unheard and unaddressed by managers. This, combined with growing financial insecurity, is taking a toll on the mental well-being of young workers worldwide.

1. The study conducted by the Young Workers' Lab at UNI Global Union in 2019 sheds light on the challenges faced by young workers globally.
2. In the UK, young workers feel that their wages are not keeping up with inflation.
3. Apart from increased living and housing costs, many young UK workers express the need for employers to value them beyond their initial skills and foster growth.
4. In Latin America, workers complain of low pay and high rents, feeling underappreciated and exploited.
5. Anxieties in this region also stem from poor enforcement of labor laws, recent factory closures, and companies in crisis.
6. Pay for public holidays and Sundays is a primary concern in Australia, with workers voicing the need for a living wage amidst rising prices and financial insecurity.
7. Workers in Latin America denounce sexual harassment as a prevalent issue, given the male-dominated society and gender stereotypes.
8. They also stress the detrimental impact of being treated like a machine, with no breaks, and more time expected at work than with their families.
9. Australian workers grapple with feeling undervalued and unappreciated, leading to poor mental health outcomes due to power abuses by management.
10. Unemployment relationships are a significant concern in the UK, particularly due to diminishing staff levels and resulting increased workload stress.
11. Workers in Latin America express anxiety over the impact of digitalization and the consequences for decent work.
12. The need for better training and the continuous requirement to learn new technology is a significant challenge in Latin America and Australia.
13. Poor guidance leads to mistakes and a lack of self-confidence in abilities for workers in Australia.
14. In the UK, workers struggle with limited knowledge sharing due to generational change and strained financial resources.
15. They seek avenues for advice on improving job performance and increasing productivity but find limited resources available.
16. Inadequate IT infrastructure is another common complaint in the UK.
17. Relationships and leadership within employment are crucial aspects affecting mental health and well-being, particularly in Australia and the UK.
18. Entrepreneurship, small business, and investing can provide opportunities for young workers to create wealth and financial security, yet they face barriers such as lack of access to resources, capital, and mentorship.
19. Diversity and inclusion in the workplace, fashion, and beauty industries are essential for empowering marginalized groups and promoting fair representation.
20. A healthy lifestyle involves not only physical exercise but also mental well-being, nutrition, and rest, which can be affected by work-related stress.
21. Outdoor living and gardening can contribute to sustainable living and provide opportunities for relaxation and stress relief.
22. Interiors design, cooking, and baking can be therapeutic hobbies that help reduce stress and foster personal growth.
23. Food and drink, dining, and global cuisines play significant roles in cultural exchange, entertainment, and social bonding, making them essential components of a fulfilling lifestyle.
24. Deals and discounts, shopping, and product reviews help consumers make informed decisions and save money.
25. Technology can be both a blessing and a curse in modern living, as it can improve productivity, connect people, and provide entertainment, yet it can also contribute to stress, digital addiction, and privacy concerns.
26. Education, self-development, and budgeting are key elements of personal finance management, which can lead to financial independence and security.
27. In the housing market, affordable and quality homes are essential for providing a stable foundation for families and individuals.
28. Real estate, venture capital, private equity, debt management, data and cloud computing, and sustainable living are critical aspects of the economy, shaping the future of business, finance, and society.

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