Cross-country comparison: does social democratic party power increase an employee's perceived employability?

Individuals strive to be highly employable, yet, we lack a uniform definition of 'employability'. Within the labour market, employability can be seen as a product of individual human capital resources. However, this study argues that employability is also affected by the structure of the labour market and therefore also considers a country's economic situation and political power to quantify employees' perceived employability. Using data from the International Social Survey Programme, the Manifesto Project Dataset, and the International Labour Organization, this study uses a multilevel regression model with data from 30 countries. This paper disentangles the impact of individual careers and country policies (micro-macro linkage) on the perceived employability of their employees. At the individual level, initial education is the main predictor of employees' current perceived employability, but vocational training is not. At the country level, the share of social democratic party power in each country, as a driver of active labour market policies, has a net effect on employee's perceived employability, irrespective of their individual human capital investments. The generalisability of the findings is relevant to current debates about whether workers should become managers of their own careers or whether policymakers should take responsibility.

The purple line and its association with cervical dilatation in labour: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of evidence that the presence and length of the purple line could represent a non-invasive method of estimating and determining labour progress. OBJECTIVES: The primary outcome was to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between the purple line length and cervical dilatation in active labour. The secondary outcome was to determine the association between the purple line length and the fetal head descent, and to calculate the pooled mean length of the purple line at a cervical dilatation of 3-4 cm and at a cervical dilatation of 9-10 cm. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Clinical Trials.gov and Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register databases from inception till March 25, 2023. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included observational studies of pregnant women in active first stage of labour who had their labour progress assessed with the use of regular vaginal examinations and who had the occurrence recorded and length of the purple line measured at the same time. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently evaluated study eligibility. We used the random effects and fixed effects model for meta-analysis. MAIN RESULTS: There were six eligible studies included in the systematic review that reported on 982 women in total with the purple line appearing in 760 (77.3%) of cases. We found a moderate positive pooled correlation between the purple line length with cervical dilatation (r = +0.64; 95%CI: 0.41-0.87) and fetal head descent (r = +0.50; 95%CI: 0.32-0.68). For women either in spontaneous or induced labour, the pooled mean length of the purple line was more than 9.4 cm when the cervical dilatation was 9-10 cm, whereas it was more than 7.3 cm when the cervical dilatation was 3-4 cm. CONCLUSIONS: The purple line is a non-invasive method that may potentially be used as an adjunct in labour progress assessment.

Comparing compliance with commencement and use of two partograph designs for women in active labour: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Documentation and assessment of progress in labour using a partograph is recommended by the World Health Organisation to assist in the timely recognition of labour dystocia. Recent studies have tested new designs of partographs that aim to account for more variable rates of labour progress. However, other studies have suggested that poor compliance in the completion of partographs affects utility. The objective of this study was to compare two types of partographs for compliance in documentation and use for managing labour. METHODS: Low-risk nulliparous women in spontaneous labour (n = 228) were randomised to either an Action Line (control) (n = 114) or Dystocia Line partograph (intervention) (n = 114). Primary outcome was compliance with instructions for commencement of the partograph following a multifaceted training strategy. Secondary outcomes included compliance with the accompanying clinical management protocol for each partograph; and labour and birth outcomes. RESULTS: The compliance rate for commencing the Action line partograph was 43.2% compared to 67.0% (p = 0.02) for the Dystocia line partograph. Other than a reduction in artificial rupture of membranes in the Dystocia Line group there were no other differences in labour management or birth outcomes. The use of centralised electronic display of labour progress may be a contributing factor. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with the commencement and use of either partograph was low. There was little indication that the partograph was being utilized in the assessment and management of prolonged labour. Further studies are needed to explore the current utility of partographs in labour management and the effect of centralised monitoring of progress in high resource settings.

COVID-19 in Latin America: The effects of an unprecedented crisis on employment and income.

In 2020, Latin America was gripped by an unprecedented labour crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This article analyses the pandemic's impact on employment and income dynamics, and the policies implemented by the countries in the region. Findings point to a severe contraction in employment, working hours and income in consequence of the sharp decline in economic activity. These impacts have fostered inequalities, and the pathway to recovery is widening employment and income gaps between different population groups.

Typical school-to-work transitions of young adults with disabilities in Germany - a cohort study of recipients of vocational rehabilitation services after leaving school in 2008.

PURPOSE: In Germany, vocational rehabilitation (VR) for young people with disabilities (YPWD) aims to counteract disadvantages on the training and labour markets. However, the school-to-work transitions (STWT) among YPWD are underexplored. This study investigates to what extent and for whom VR provides an institutional bridge into employment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on representative administrative data of the German Federal Employment Agency, young people in VR are observed for 6.5 years after completing lower or intermediate secondary education in 2008. Using optimal matching and cluster analysis, six typical STWT trajectories are identified. RESULTS: Most of the YPWD completed company-external vocational training, some undertook regular in-firm training. These forms of training often lead to regular employment, albeit with a delay for some. Other young people are guided from training in sheltered workshops into sheltered employment. Another group exhibits problematic STWTs in which recurring unemployment and (non-training) programmes fail to lead to training or employment. CONCLUSIONS: VR combined with in-firm or company-external vocational training can facilitate the STWTs of people with disabilities. However, individuals from poor families are less likely to benefit from VR. Similarly, restricted capabilities and problematic STWTs are observed when young people drop out of VR due to poor cooperation.Implications for rehabilitationVocational training often is a prerequisite for labour market entry; however, if the structural conditions on the local labour market are unfavourable, young people with disabilities do not take up employment.Training within sheltered workshops often leads to highly institutionalised trajectories that should be reconsidered to permit greater permeability into the regular labour market.As young people with problematic STWT more often come from poor households, they should be targeted to a greater extent in the context of VR counselling.

Going Global: Insights of Indonesian Policymakers on International Migration of Nurses.

BACKGROUND: The Indonesian policymakers need to respond to the current challenges, particularly the excess of nurses and the increased demand for nurses in the global market. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present the perception of policymakers and stakeholders on the management of overseas migration of Indonesian nurses. METHODS: This study is a descriptive qualitative design where data were collected through structured interviews with key stakeholders representing the Indonesian government, namely the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Labour (MOL), Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI). The in-depth interviews involved participants who were responsible for managing Indonesian nurses' migration. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically using a content analysis approach. RESULTS: The issues involving nurses' migration policy are quite complex and sectoral. Themes emerging from this study include the move towards global market orientation, addressing challenges on international nurse migration, strengthening coordination among stakeholders and making the most of opportunities. All the themes reflect that the country should work hard to achieve the balance between quantity and quality of nursing resources for the international market. CONCLUSION: As regulator and executor of Indonesian nurse migration, various government policies have responded to the low number of Indonesian nurses' migration overseas, emphasizing the three cycles of migration: pre-migration, migration and post-migration. The preparation of resources, regulations and placements for Indonesian nurses abroad open the opportunity to the international nursing labour market. Hence, the policies need to be strengthened from upstream to downstream to make Indonesian nurses more competitive and adaptive in global market.

An analysis of participation factors and effects of the active labour market measure Graduate practice in Slovakia - Counterfactual approach.

The paper presents the results of the evaluation of the selected active labour market policy measure "Contribution to the Graduate practice" in Slovakia. The measure is of a voluntary nature and its main aim is to prevent long-term unemployment among young people and to support a competitive ability of young school-leavers and thus their employability and sustainability in the labour market through the acquisition of work experience, professional skills and work habits. In the study, we analyse the selected characteristics of young jobseekers who participated in this measure in 2016 and their counterfactuals who did not participate. In addition to 2016, the observed period includes a subsequent 2 years - the individual impact period of the measure for each participant, i.e. the years 2017 and 2018. We evaluated the effects of the measure by applying the exact matching of treated and non-treated individuals using the outcome variables, namely wages and placement in the labour market in the impact period of the measure. The results indicate that the Graduate practice had a positive impact on the employability and sustainability of its participants, but rather in short-term or maximum long-term. Regarding the wage levels referring to the financial appraisal of the participants of the measure, the results suggest that non-treated individuals were better financially evaluated and so the Graduate practice did not guarantee better salary to its participants. The findings of the study are important in the setting of conditions of the measure for future periods in order to achieve its better functioning and efficiency in the way of proper targeting, more efficient use of funds, and for a system of their redistribution.

Does Work Disability Contribute to Trajectories of Work Participation before and after Vocational Labour Market Training for Job Seekers?

The contribution of ill-health to labour market participation in relation to vocational training is unclear. Using nationally representative Finnish register data on 42,691 vocational labour market trainees in 2008-2010, we constructed latent trajectory groups of work participation in the open labour market three years before and after training, identifying groups called "High-High", "High-Low", "Low-High", and "Low-Low". We plotted further patterns of labour market participation within these trajectory groups and, using multinomial logistic regression, examined assignment to these groups focusing on previous work disability status. Those with compared to those without previous work disability had previous employment more often and spent less time in economic inactivity within the two trajectory groups with low pre-training levels of work participation. Having a previous work disability was associated with assignment to the "High-Low" trajectory group of work participation instead of the "High-High" comparison group. The associations of other background factors with the assignment to the different trajectory groups were relatively similar amongst those with and without previous work disability. However, some of these associations were weaker amongst the former. Along with other key background factors, previous work disability should be accounted for when assessing the effects of vocational training.

Career guidance and active labour market policies in the Republic of Armenia.

This article provides an account of current public policy for career guidance in the Republic of Armenia. Brief background information is provided in terms of key geographical, political, social and economic facts about Armenia. Then, a more specific context is outlined with a brief overview of the education and skills system and of the labour market environment. Career guidance in Armenia needs to be understood in relation to recent public policy initiatives to introduce active labour market programmes. The scope of these programmes is outlined and a critique of current policy is provided. Finally, priorities for future development are considered.

Orientation professionnelle et politiques actives du marché du travail en République d'Arménie Cet article rend compte de la politique publique actuelle en matière d'orientation professionnelle dans la République d'Arménie. De brèves informations générales sont fournies en termes de faits-clé concernant l'Arménie d'un point de vue géographie, politique, social et économique. Ensuite, un contexte plus spécifique est décrit, avec un bref aperçu du système d'éducation et de compétences ainsi que du marché du travail. L'orientation professionnelle en Arménie doit être comprise en relation avec les récentes initiatives d'introductions de programmes de politique publique active du marché du travail. Le champ d'application de ces programmes est décrit et une critique de la politique actuelle est fournie. Finalement, les priorités pour le développement futur sont examinées.

Orientación profesional y políticas activas del mercado laboral en la República de Armenia Este analiza las políticas públicas actuales de orientación profesional en la República de Armenia. Se exponen una breve información sobre los antecedentes, en términos de hechos geográficos, políticos, sociales y económicos clave sobre Armenia. A continuación se describe un contexto más específico con una breve revisión del contexto del sistema educativo y de competencias así como del mercado laboral. La orientación profesional en Armenia debe entenderse en relación con las recientes iniciativas de políticas públicas para introducir planes activos planes activos de empleo. Se describe el alcance de estos programas y se ofrece una visión crítica de la política actual. Finalmente, se consideran prioridades para el desarrollo futuro.

How does a targeted active labour market program impact on the well-being of the unemployed? A concept mapping study on Barcelona "Employment in the Neighbourhoods".

BACKGROUND: The "Employment in the neighbourhoods" program is an innovative, tailor-made Active Labour Market Program that has been implemented in 12 neighbourhoods in Barcelona (Spain). Its goal is to get people from deprived, high-unemployment neighbourhoods back to work. The aim of this study was to describe the effects of the program on participants' quality of life, and identify the mechanisms underlying these effects, according to their own perception and the perception of technical staff who assisted them. METHODS: We used Concept Mapping, a mixed methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative analysis, to develop a conceptual map of the participants' and technical staffs' perceptions about changes in the participants' quality of life. Data collection occurred within the generation and structuring steps where participants brainstormed answers to a focus question, and then rated and sorted the responses. To create maps, we used Concept Systems Incorporated software, which conducted two main forms of analysis, a multidimensional scaling analysis, and a hierarchical cluster analysis. RESULTS: Study participants reported several positive effects on mental health and emotional wellbeing, including self-esteem and empowerment, and considered that this was achieved through strengthened social networks, skills acquisition, emotional coaching, and personalized technical assistance. They also described some negative impacts, mainly related to the labour market situation. We observed marked gender differences in the discourses of program participants. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained have allowed us to identify different perceived effects and mechanisms by which the "Employment in the Neighbourhoods" Active Labour Market Programme can influence quality of life of participants from the most deprived areas of Barcelona.

Effects of phloroglucinol on the active phase of labour (EPAL trial): a single blinded randomised controlled trial in a tertiary hospital in sub-Sahara Africa.

INTRODUCTION: One of the most recognized factors of maternal and neonatal outcome pertaining to the peripartum period is the duration of labour. Finding a drug that will decrease the duration of labour with no effects on mother and foetus will be welcomed. Thereby in this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of phloroglucinol on the duration of the active phase of labour. METHODS: We did a single blinded placebo controlled randomised 1:1 parallel designed superiority trial between January and June 2017 in Douala general hospital. Participants greater than 18 years with singleton uncomplicated pregnancy who consented following randomisation, were administered either 80mg/8ml intravenous phloroglucinol or 8ml of sterile water when in active labour. The primary outcome was the duration of labour. Modified intention to treat analysis was done with the level of significance set at a p value of 0.05. RESULTS: 122 participants received the intervention. The mean total duration labour in the treatment and placebo group were 216.8 ± 38.7 and 358.5 ± 65.8 respectively (p value = 0.243). The mean duration of the active phase of labour in the treatment and placebo group were 183.0±35.6 and 316.0±52.2 respectively (p value = 0.046). The mean rate of cervical dilatation in the treatment and placebo group were 2.1 ± 0.4 and 1.3 ± 0.4 respectively (p value = 0.322). There was no difference in maternal and foetal outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Phloroglucinol shortens the duration of active phase of labour by about 2 hours (42%). It is safe to mother and baby and does not cause adverse foetal or maternal outcomes.

Vocational training and employability: Evaluation evidence from Romania.

This study evaluates the direct effects of vocational training, which is a popular active labour market policy in a European developing country such as Romania. Since the available official statistical microdata were insufficient to conduct reliable impact evaluations, the main findings were obtained through a counterfactual impact evaluation using newly produced micro survey data. Moreover, the research provides a heterogeneity analysis of groups of trainees, in order to identify the categories for which the programme performs best. The main results reveal that the training measure has a positive, but modest impact upon employability in Romania: participation increases employment chances properly controlled by 15%. It is most successful for women and for people living in urban areas. Measures for increasing the impacts of the vocational training programme in Romania are identified in terms of better targeting and profiling the trainees and closer adjustment of the programme to the specific needs of the labour market.

Get a Life? The Impact of the European Working Time Directive: The Case of UK Senior Doctors.

This paper seeks to identify the effect of the implementation of the European Working Time Directive on the working hours of UK doctors. The Labour Force Survey is used to compare the working hours of doctors with a variety of control groups before and after the implementation of the directive. The controls include those unconstrained by the directive and doctor counterparts working in Europe. We use differences-in-differences and matching methods to estimate the impact of this natural experiment, distinguishing between the anticipation and enactment of the European Working Time Directive. We find that the legislation reduced the hours of senior doctors by around 8 hours in total including the component attributable to anticipation effects and allowing for (exogenously set) rising wages. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.