• Name of the event: WORKING GROUP MEETING
• Date: 06/05/2021
• Location: Online

Discussion about the experience in the situation on the labor market about the COVID-19 pandemic

During the meeting that took place on May 6, 2021, the different organizations participating in the project were presented. Next, each participating entity explained how COVID-19 has affected them in their country and in their sector. After several turns of speech and an extensive discussion, it became clear that COVID-19 has strongly affected the world economy and employment. In Europe, for example, the pandemic has destroyed more than 10 million jobs in the second quarter of the year. The new COVID -19 pandemic drastically changed the situation in the labor market. The results have been more severe in Italy than in any other European Member State. Public sector workers, especially the aviation sector (pilots, air traffic controllers, etc.) are severely damaged by the pandemic. As the free movement of people continues to be limited by the pandemic, companies are suffering from restructuring. This situation negatively affects the fulfillment of workers’ rights to information, consultation and participation. Europe is expected to reach a record unemployment rate of 19.2% at the end of the year, up from 14.5% in May.

Faced with this situation, we must reflect on the impact of the pandemic on employment and the challenges that COVID-19 leaves in the labor market, especially for young people and women, who are the most affected by the economic crisis of the coronavirus.

Among the economic sectors most affected by the health crisis is that of services, especially in the commercial field, culture, hospitality and tourism, in the air sector the consequences have been devastating, due to the paralysis of almost 97% of the flights. The minimum services of the transport flights were left to supply the minimum services (food, drinks, medicines).

Recovering the economy and jobs lost by the pandemic is a complex task involving different actors and measures at the political and social level.

Many governments have helped employers and workers to alleviate this situation, but almost all aid is scarce and insufficient.

Vaccines are vital to getting out of this situation, and we are betting on them.

We must propose clear and precise improvements in fiscal policies, working hours, and the reconciliation of family and working life, which COVID has changed so much over the last few months, and above all, we must promote the strengthening of health care, which has been overrun in all countries.