The impact of COVID-19 on the labour market is still largely unknown. And so it is its specific impact on different groups. Researchers from all over the world are working to analyse the consequences of this unprecedented shock, so to provide relevant information to policy makers: what immediate measures need to be taken to contrast its effects? What can be done to support those individuals that are suffering the most?
Preliminary analysis show that youth and women have been the most hit by the crisis. This is because of different reasons, for instance the vulnerability of their jobs and their specific sectors of activity (which were particularly hit by the global lockdown). The OECD estimates that 4 million jobs have been lost by youth in OECD countries. New graduates will face great difficulties in findings their first job, with scarring medium and long term effect on their careers perspectives.
Emerging evidence also suggests that women’s economic and productive lives will be affected disproportionately and differently from men. Across the globe, women are paying the bill of their already difficult employment situation: lower wages, less secure jobs, more informality, greater difficulties in entering (and remaining in the market). Their capacity to absorb economic shocks is therefore much reduced compared to that of men. On top of that, school closure have put an additional burden on women: according to UNESCO, already in April 2020, 1.52 billion students (87%) and over 60 million teachers were home. In most countries, the demand for unpaid childcare provision fell more heavily on women, because of the existing structure of the workforce and also because of social norms.
The paper below (Aomar Ibourk, Karim El Aynaoui & Tayeb Ghaz) provides a valuable contribution to the existing knowledge on the COVID-19 impact on women in Morocco. Understanding the status quo is key to take action that could turn the crisis into an opportunity for women and girls. Time to act has come.
Please share your ideas:
- Do you have any experience to share?
- How women in your countries face the pandemic?
- Do you have any concrete ideas on how COVID-19 could be turned into an opportunity to support women's employment?
Dear Romain, thanks a lot for sharing this extremely interesting video!! I really advice everybody to take few minutes and look at it. It is one of the best recaps that I have seen on the impact of COVID-19 on jobs and employment. It puts all elements together, really informative.
I am particularly interested in the following items mentioned in the video: change of working styles, managing by results, the end of 9-17, the impact on office space and pollution/commuting, flexibility and happiness. In a nutshell, COVID-19 could be a real revolution on jobs and employment!