Contemporary Socio-economic Issues Flashcards
HIV and AIDS
A virus that is passed on from one person to another through sexual contact.
-More than one in ten people in SA is infected with HIV
Causes of unemployment
- Large unskilled labour force
- A poor education system
- Insufficient growth in the economy of the county
- Industries that use technology rather than labour
- Poor border control
- Overpopulation
- Industries that exploit natural resources, but few Industries that process the resources into a final product
Government programs
Unemployment
Government creates jobs
Money is needed to pay for equipment, materials and wages so Government raises taxes
People pay more taxes and so have less money to spend on consumer items
Businesses sales decrease and so do profits
Businesses are forced to down-sizs their staff or shut down
Policies to address socio-economic issues
What is inclusivity? Inclusivity comes from the word ‘include’ and means giving
everyone an equal opportunity. It means not discriminating against anyone on
the basis of race, gender, disabilities, age, sexual orientation, HIV or AIDS. When a
business employs new staff, anyone who is willing and able to do the job and who have the necessary qualifications, skills and experience, should be considered.
Problem Gambling
Anyone whose gambling is causing psychological, financial, emotional, marital, legal or other difficulties for themselves and the people around them. Overspending, pattern of excessive gambling when upset. Can be ongoing problem with continual losses
Co-workers(First line defence)
Gambling and gambling related activities are frequently carried out during work hours. The workplace is used as a shield to hide the problem gambling from family members. This leaves managers and co-workers as the first line of defense.
Effects on the workplace
~Lost Time - rather spend time gambling than working
~Lost Productivity - No Productivity due to workers gambling, increased suicide numbers
~Theft fraud and embezzlement - Employees “borrow” money from business
What can a business do regarding gambling
~Policy statement - incorporate gambling into policies
~Provide awareness training
~Make financial counseling available
~Monitor the money stream
Unemployment(Can be 7 marks)
Those people, within the economically active population (15-64 years old), who are not working but who want to work and are available to work, and who have recently taken steps to look for work or to start a form of self-employment
Inequality
Refers to the unequal distribution of income and assets between different individuals and groups in a country.
Poverty
Unable to satisfy his or her most basic human survival necessities. A person is deemed extremely poor if he or she is unable to afford food, water and shelter
Productivity
Measure of the efficiency with which inputs of capital and labour are used. The inputs (resources) are converted into outputs (goods and services). Increasing the outputs by using labour and capital efficiently benefits the economy, the business and the workers
