(a) Define occupational mobility of labour. (2 marks)
(b) Identify any four barriers to occupational mobility of labour. (12 marks)
(c) State any two factors that will make labour efficient. (6 marks)
Explanation
(a) Occupational mobility of labour is the ease with which labour/ a worker moves from one occupation to another.
(b)(i) Natural abilities required in certain occupation may prevent such labour from moving e.g. musicians, artists.
(ii) Cost of training may be high.
(iii) Trade union or professional association may inhibit such movements.
(iv) Labour may be too old to learn new skills.
(v) Differences in remuneration may prevent labour from moving from one occupation to another.
(vi) Discrimination on account of sex or race in some places may prevent mobility.
(vii) Inadequate information about wage rates and opportunities in other occupations.
(viii) Training may take a long period of time.
(c)(i) Education and training e.g. formal education and on-the-job training.
(ii) Good remuneration: Higher wages and salaries serve to motivate the work harder.
(iii) Good work environment: Good ventilation, good furnishing etc will make labour more efficient.
(iv) Availability of co-operant factors: Availability and quality of other factors such as land, equipment etc will make labour more efficient.
(v) Other conditions of service e.g. housing, transport, bonuses, scholarship for children, insurance coverage etc will make labour more efficient.
(vi) Degree of specialization: The more a worker specializes, the more efficient he or she becomes.
(vii) Good management style: A good management style encourages workers to be more efficient.