COMMENTS

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 572.

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In order for any country to grow, it must have a large and skilled labour force. Since the size of this force is related to total population the number of people available for production activities will grow as the population grows. If the growth of population continues to decline, it eventually affect the growth of the labour force. However a labour shortage¹could be made up²by workers from other countries.

There are four major categories of labour that are based on the general level of skills needed to do any kind of job. These categories are unskilled, semiskilled, skilled and professional or managerial.

Unskilled labour. Workers who do not have the training to operate machines and equipment fall into³the category of unskilled labour. Most of these people work chiefly with their hands at such jobs as digging ditches, picking fruit, etc.

Semiskilled labour. Workers who have mechanical abilities⁴fall into the category of semiskilled labour. They may operate electric floor polishers, or any other equipment that calls for⁵a certain amount of skill.

Skilled labour. Workers who are able to operate complex equipment and who can do their tasks with little supervisions fall into the category of skilled labour. Examples are carpenters, typists, toolmakers.

Professional labour. Workers with high level skills such as doctors, lawyers and executives of large companies fall into the category of professional labour.

Most occupations have wage rate — a standard amount of pay given for work performed.

How these rates are determined can be explained in two different ways. The first deals with supply and demand, the second recognizes the influence of unions on the bargaining process⁶.

1. a labour shortage — брак робочої сили

2. could be made up — можна було б компенсувати

3. to fall into — належати до …

4. mechanical abilities — здібності до техніки

5. to call for — вимагати

6. bargaining process — договірний процес