The jobs challenge is not simply the lack of job opportunities. A more nuanced view is the inability of the common person to earn a decent living through productive employment or self-employment. Viewing the issue as such reveals the other dimensions of the lack of job opportunities issue. This Policy Note clarifies the jobs challenge and its implications for policy based on Paqueo et al. (2014). Defining clearly the jobs challenge illuminates the issue much more clearly and highlights the weakness of viewing it as simply a problem of lack of job opportunities. The Note argues that the jobs challenge extends beyond those who are currently unemployed. It should include those who are currently employed but are earning below subsistence. These workers require much more than just having and keeping their jobs. Finally, there are those who are earning beyond subsistence but for whatever reason still want to work more hours.
