Perception of Employees Regarding Employment Opportunities Created under CPEC: A Case Study of Coal Fire and Solar Project in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose: CEPC is a mass investment for the struggling economy of Pakistan as it opens up new avenues of opportunities. The current study aims to probe employees’ perception working in coal power projects in central and south Punjab under CEPEC.

Research Gap: The infrastructure investments in any economy are evaluated generally or partially through cost benefit analysis or cash flow criterion. Response of target population is more often not evaluated through primary survey. This study is novel in its nature to know the perception of the employees working in two power projects installed in central and southern Punjab, Pakistan.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study is based on primary data collected through well-structured questionnaire from employees. Descriptive analytical method and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimation method are adopted for analysis. Four indices of multiple opportunities are constructed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA).

The Main Findings: Results of the study portray key importance of education to enhance opportunities under CPEC. Findings do support that multiple opportunities created under CPEC and social change in the surroundings of installed projects also create employment opportunities.

Theoretical/Practical Implications of the Findings: Findings of the study emphasize skill development in labor force so that more benefits can be achieved from investments in various projects of CPEC. A close linkage between educational institutes and industry seems a necessary policy implication.

Originality/Value: The study is novel in exploring the employees perceptive regarding employment opportunities created under CPEC for the power projects installed in central and southern Punjab.