The IDB and Job Creation: Report to the Summit of the Americas

This publication examines job creation and the work of the IDB from two supporting policy perspectives: (i) policies and programs to improve the business climate and investment for private sector-driven growth; and, (ii) labor market policies and programs. For each of these two pillars, the publication examines overall policy frameworks and the links to job creation, and it reviews some of the IDB's contributions. The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are now taking steps to expand job-creating investments and enact more effective public policies to support employment growth. This report is intended as a resource for policymakers, the private sector, workers and their representatives alike. It is our hope that it will inform the efforts of these stakeholders as they prepare for new commitments and initiatives in the context of the Summit process. Creating jobs is one of the key development challenges facing Latin America and the Caribbean and one of the region's foremost needs. Job creation lies at the heart of resolving the region's inequality and high levels of poverty, improving competitiveness, and promoting sustainable economic growth. For this reason, the 2005 Summit of the Americas (Mar del Plata, Argentina) has made job creation its principal theme. Job creation is not an exact science, set in motion by one single policy, program or firm. Creating the economic and social environment through which new, high quality jobs are generated and the least desirable jobs are lost involves getting a host of economic and social policies "right." As the largest multilateral lender to Latin America and the Caribbean, the Inter-American Development Bank takes a comprehensive approach to supporting job creation in the region. This publication examines job creation and the work of the IDB from two supporting policy perspectives: (i) policies and programs to improve the business climate and investment for private sector-driven growth; and, (ii) labor market policies and programs. For each of these two pillars, the publication examines overall policy frameworks and the links to job creation, and it reviews some of the IDB's contributions. The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are now taking steps to expand job-creating investments and enact more effective public policies to support employment growth. This report is intended as a resource for policymakers, the private sector, workers and their representatives alike. It is our hope that it will in