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Unemployment in Colombia

I have heard stagering figures in reference to unemployment statistics in Colombia, and I know that wages for those that do have a job are low. But I was wondering what the real story on unemployment in Colombia is. I imagine that just as in the US, a portion of the unemployed are unemployed by choice. But for the average, not particularly highly skilled, person what are the prospects of finding a job?

By Azul on Feb 10, 2007, 16:33 in Friendly Talkzone.

adrimm says on Feb 11, 2007, 11:06:

Crap jobs Of course it depends on where they are.. imho I'm sure someone healthy & younger could join the military and be sent off to who knows where (at certain risk). As far as I know there is no safety net at all, so the "willingly unemployed" are a minutea. Also the "not particularly highly skilled" runs that gamut, from a) not being able to read well to b) not knowing how to drive to b) not knowing how to use MS Access.

That's why you see people selling cell phone minutes, hawking magazines & food to cars, selling food door to door or in stalls (ie almuerzos, empandas), driving cab, handmaking objects (ie jewellery & cards), doing laundry (used to be a big one), typing stuff, doing whatever they can.

So - they might be able to find something to do (some creative self-employment thing), but chances are it won't be a great, easy or very profitable thing.

0 funny, 0 helpful.