Abstract: 

The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered a crisis in gainful employment. According to estimates from the ILO, global working hours fell by an unprecedented 14% in the second quarter of 2020; with many countries ordering the closure of all but “essential service” businesses. As a result, standards of living have dropped for many of those afected, particularly those countries in the Global South with weak welfare states. This has led to a historic reversal of the trend in poverty reduction. Furthermore, the relationship between work and technology has shifted. The pandemic has led to “hyper-digitalization” and new technologically enhanced inequalities. Key fndings of this paper are:

• Due to diferences globally in technological capacities and employment structures, the number of jobs suitable for telework remains unequally distributed.

• Employees in developing countries not only face an economic downturn and rising poverty, but also long-term challenges from a potential return to outsourced production to high-income countries.

• Economic stimulation, support of businesses and job protection are the current political measures being taken, but there is also a need for stronger measures of international solidarity. 

Volume (in German):

Ursula Filipič, Annika Schönauer (Hg.): EIN JAHR CORONA: AUSBLICK ZUKUNFT DER ARBEIT.

Lukas Schlögl's contribution begins on page 21. You can download the entire publication using the link below.