News

The latest news on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the world of work and the responses of governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations.

June 2020

  1. COVID-19: Protecting workers in the workplace

    Migrant workers among the hardest hit by COVID-19 pandemic

    24 June 2020

    The COVID-19 pandemic is having a severe impact on millions of migrant workers around the world, says the ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, many of whom lack any access to social protection or economic support of any kind.

  2. COVID-19: Protecting workers in the workplace

    COVID-19 and labour migration

    24 June 2020

    Tens of millions of migrant workers face unemployment and poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many migrant workers, particularly women, are doing essential jobs for their host societies, such as health care, many others have lost jobs or work informally. As containment measures ease, millions of migrant workers may be required to return where labour markets are already under strain from high levels of unemployment and business disruptions.

  3. COVID-19: Protecting workers in the workplace

    Sustainable migration policies needed to help migrants and businesses during pandemic

    23 June 2020

    Migrant workers are particularly affected by the economic and social crisis, which has put many jobs and businesses under threat, says Roberto Suarez Santos, Secretary-General of the International Organization of Employers. He calls for sustainable migration policies and says social dialogue is key to finding the right solutions.

  4. COVID-19: Protecting workers in the workplace

    Migrant workers deserve equal treatment during COVID-19 pandemic

    22 June 2020

    It has never been more important to focus on the rights of migrant workers than during the COVID-19 pandemic, says Sharan Burrow, Secretary General of the International Trade Union Confederation.

  5. Media advisory

    ILO assesses impact of COVID-19 on migrant workers

    22 June 2020

  6. COVID-19:  Protecting workers in the workplace

    A world of work free from violence and harassment

    19 June 2020

    One year ago, governments and employers’ and workers’ organizations from across the world took action to end violence and harassment in the world of work by adopting the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190) and its accompanying Recommendation (No. 206). Now is the time for all countries to make this right a reality for all by ratifying this international treaty and creating a world of work free from violence and harassment.

  7. © Sambrian Mbaabu / World Bank 2023

    COVID-19: Protecting workers in the workplace

    COVID-19 causes unprecedented jobs crisis, almost all workers and businesses affected by lockdown measures

    19 June 2020

    UN Secretary-General is calling for immediate support for at-risk workers, enterprises, jobs and incomes in a new Policy Brief on the World of Work and COVID-19, prepared with the ILO.

  8. Our impact, their voices

    Knowledge helps Indonesian fishers survive the pandemic and prevent human trafficking

    17 June 2020

    Fishing is one of the sectors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fishers do not only lose their livelihoods but also face a greater risk of human trafficking. The ILO and its partners raise their awareness for better protection and prevention.

  9. © I. Bonham / ILO 2023

    COVID-19: Protecting workers in the workplace

    Livelihoods of more than 55 million domestic workers at risk due to COVID-19

    16 June 2020

    On the ninth anniversary of the adoption of the Domestic Workers Convention, new ILO estimates reveal the risks facing domestic workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  10. COVID-19: Protecting workers in the workplace

    ILO supports Jordan’s agricultural sector during COVID-19 pandemic

    15 June 2020

    As part of its COVID-19 response in Jordan, the ILO is working with labour committees and farm owners to raise awareness and protect agricultural workers.

  11. COVID-19: Supporting employment and incomes

    Shifting production to fight COVID-19 in Moldova

    15 June 2020

    Mihai Balan's small business in southern Moldova usually makes decorative souvenirs, but with the COVID-19 pandemic he shifted production to make visors for frontline health workers. Mihai Balan is a beneficiary of the ILO project "Promotion of Youth Employment", which is financed through the ILO Regular Budget Supplementary Account​.

  12. World Day Against Child Labour

    Joint message from the ILO and UNICEF to mark the World Day Against Child Labour

    12 June 2020

    The 2020 World Day Against Child Labour focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on Child Labour, while looking forward to the International Year on the Elimination of Child Labour, 2021. On the occasion of the World Day, a joint ILO-UNICEF paper entitled “COVID-19 and child labour: A time of crisis, a time to act” has been released. The paper looks at some of the main ways through which the pandemic is likely to affect progress towards the eradication of child labour.

  13. © Issouf Sanogo / AFP 2023

    COVID-19 and child labour

    COVID-19 may push millions more children into child labour – ILO and UNICEF

    12 June 2020

    Child labour down by 94 million since 2000, a gain now under threat.

  14. COVID-19: Protecting workers in the workplace

    ILO team up with trade unions to protect fishers from COVID-19 pandemic and human trafficking

    12 June 2020

    The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the vulnerability of fishers and make them at higher risks of being trapped in human trafficking. The ILO team up with trade unions in fishing sector to raise their awareness about the pandemic and the danger of trafficking.

  15. Media advisory

    ILO and UNICEF assess impact of COVID-19 crisis on child labour

    10 June 2020