(a) Define labour force. (b) Explain the following concepts with an example each: (i) occupational mobility of labour; (ii) geographical mobility of labour....

(a) Labour force

The labour force is the part of a country’s population that is of working age and is either employed or actively seeking employment.

(b)(i) Occupational mobility of labour

Occupational mobility of labour is the ease with which a worker moves from one occupation or job to another. For example, a bank worker who leaves banking to become a teacher has shown occupational mobility.

(b)(ii) Geographical mobility of labour

Geographical mobility of labour is the ease with which a worker moves from one geographical location to another in order to work. For example, a teacher who moves from Banjul to Monrovia for employment has shown geographical mobility.

(c) Factors influencing the size of the labour force

1. Total population: A country with a larger population is likely to have a larger labour force, other things being equal.
2. School-leaving age: Reducing the official school-leaving age increases the number of young people available for work and therefore increases the labour force.
3. Retirement age: Raising the retirement age, for example from 60 to 65 years, keeps people in employment for longer and increases the labour force.
4. Willingness to work: The labour force will be larger where a high proportion of working-age people are willing and able to work.
5. Participation of women: Increased participation of women in paid employment increases the size of the labour force, while more full-time housewives may reduce it.
6. Education and training: When more people remain in full-time education or training, fewer people are immediately available for work, thereby reducing the labour force.
7. Health and disability: A high proportion of sick or disabled working-age people reduces the number able to work and hence reduces the labour force.
8. Age structure of the population: A population with a high proportion of people within the working-age group will have a relatively large labour force.