IOE and Covid-19: recap from digital conferences and essential guidance documents for employers

From trade, employment and supply chains to guidance on telework: this week, IOE led one major digital conference with WTO and ILO senior experts, engaged in an insightful UN Global Compact discussion and launched two publications for employers on telework and overcoming Covid-19.

The impact of Covid-19 on global trade, supply chains and employment

According to WTO, world trade is expected to fall by between 13% and 32% in 2020, exceeding the trade slump brought on by the global financial crisis of 2008‑09. No doubt, Covid-19 is a supply chain shock and an enormous demand shock.

WTO Chief Economist and Director of economic research Robert Koopman; ILO Director for Employment Policy Sangheon Lee; USCIB Senior Director for Trade, Investment and Financial Services Eva Hampl; Bangladesh Employers’ Federation Secretary General Farooq Ahmed, and Iron Duke Partners Managing Director Phil O’Reilly took stock of short and long-term consequences of Covid-19 on global trade, supply chains and employment, with a focus on developing economies which heavily rely on exportations as a primary source of income.

Learn more about the sectors at a greater risk, how the disruption is affecting employers in countries like Bangladesh and the different scenarios for recovery. Find the full online session here.

UN Global Compact session: Covid-19 and supporting the world of work

The latest ILO report highlights that the Covid-19 crisis is expected to wipe out 6.7 per cent of working hours globally in the second quarter of 2020 – equivalent to 195 million full-time workers. What is needed to support business continuity and protect workers in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic?

Over 2000 participants joined this United Nations Global Compact “Academy series” on necessary measures and policies to respond to the challenges that Covid-19 brings in the world of work. IOE Secretary-General Roberto Suárez Santos joined ILO Director-General Guy Ryder and ITUC’s General Secretary Sharon Burrow in this important conversation. Internationalising the response is key: a truly global response based on global solidarity is needed to overcome this global crisis.

Want to know more about IOE’s, ILO’s and ITUC’s suggested innovative solutions and policy measures to ensure business continuity and protect incomes? Find out here.

“Teleworking in the times of Covid-19” and “Surviving Covid-19 and coming out strong”: two essential IOE Guidance documents for employers

In emergency situations, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions to respond to the changing realities. Employers must be ready to adapt and vary their expectations.

IOE has developed a practical guidance for our members on understanding the main challenges of teleworking during emergency situations and key measures for its effective implementation. Read it here (also available in French and Spanish).

Likewise, and in collaboration with the HR Policy Association, IOE has launched and essential guide for world’s employers with twelve pointers to keeping employees safe and making sure business can bounce back fast and strong. Find it here (French and Spanish versions available soon).

 

 

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