The coronavirus pandemic has a lot of tragic effects on the world, and they range from hurting the healthcare systems, hitting the global economies, to very serious mental health issues.
The multiple shocks that young people are facing these days due to this global crisis might result in them being really scarred throughout the working lives according to the latest reports.
We could see a lockdown generation
CNBC notes that all this could create a lockdown generation, according to the United Nations’ labor agency.
It’s been just revealed that more than one in six young people with ages between 18 and 29 has stopped working since the onset of the pandemic. This was revealed by the UN’s International Labour Organization in its fourth report on the impact of Covid-19 on the global workforce.
On the other hand, it’s also worth noting the fact that this is only a small increase from 14% from back in 2019, but the ILO pointed out the fact that the unemployment rate was already higher than any other group.
It’s been also reported that the young people who remained employed during the pandemic had seen the working hours drop by 23%.
Important immediate measures have to be taken
The online publication noted that Guy Ryder, ILO director-general, said if young people’s “talent and energy is side-lined by a lack of opportunity or skills it will damage all our futures and make it much more difficult to re-build a better, post-COVID economy.”
He also made sure to highlight the fact that there’s a stringent need for immediate action in order to improve young people’s situation. The ILO recommends programs that guarantee employment and training.
An interesting issue worth mentioning is that the ILO also said in its report that testing and tracing Covid-19 infections was “strongly related to lower labour market disruption,” than confinement and lockdown measures.