Socio-Economic Effects of Low and High Employment

Abstract

Both low and high employment, as currently measured, have far-reaching serious consequences affecting the health and well-being of large masses of the population and seriously disrupting the environment. The criterion of public policies, including employment, must be the assurance ofsocio-economic reproduction for the maintenance of human life, health and survival, not maximum output and employ ment without regard for genuine individual and social needs. Social and environmental indicators and substantive norms, defined in terms of minimum requirements and social ob jectives, need to be made the guidelines of public action. In this sense, genuine full employment must be made a con tinuous objective and will remain a fundamental challenge to developed and underdeveloped countries.