COVID19&UNEMPLOYMENT

 

By Phillo Aryatwijuka

Link Observer https://observer.ug/viewpoint/64281-your-mail-are-online-exams-necessary-now

Just like any war, the fight against COVID-19 isn’t any different. It does not only take lives but leaves effects that all of us have to deal with.

Some of the effects of this war are already glaring at us with the promise of employment for millions of Ugandans becoming bleak. COVID-19 is here and is hitting us hard across several sectors and we need to fight back harder and win this war.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates a significant rise of up to 25 million in global unemployment due to COVID-19. The COVID-19 fight in Uganda could worsen the unemployment situation, considering the economic slowdown in several sectors.

The informal sector currently employs a large number of our population and contributes greatly to our economy. The informal working population includes a section of vulnerable working population; women, migrant workers, youth and unprotected workers like casual labourers.

The informal sector has experienced shocks of COVID-19 effects without much protection. On the other hand, the security of workers in the formal sector, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) also remains bleak, only guaranteed by the performance of the different sectors they are currently working in.

It’s also evident that our sectors do not flourish in isolation but are largely intertwined; the decline in one sector largely impacts the others, causing a multi-sectoral loss of jobs.

Our agricultural sector’s dependence on tourism and hospitality sector is one perfect example of sector interdependency. The hospitality industry which includes hotels, restaurants and recreational centres, among others, largely supports the agriculture sector and consumes various big quantities of foodstuffs.

As such, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has come up with recommendations to governments that relate to policy responses which should focus on two major areas of health protection measures and economic support on both the demand and supply sides.

Most importantly, we all need to appreciate that COVID-19 and its effects are here, we need to support each other and face it together!

Phillo Aryatwijuka,
Kampala