COVID-19 epidemic impacts 32.1 million workers nationwide
VOV.VN - The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected a total of 32.1million workers aged 15 and above, with the economic impact of the epidemic causing labourers to either lose their jobs or have their incomes and working hours reduced.
Among those affected, 69.2% had their salaries reduced, 39.9% had seen their working hours cut, whilst 14% of local workers were forced to temporarily suspend their work or business activities.
The figures were unveiled at a press conference hosted by the Ministry of Invesment and Plan in Hanoi on January 6.
Most notably, the service sector has been the hardest hit by the crisis with 71.6% of workers affected, followed by the industrial and construction sector with 64.7% of labourers, and agriculture, forestry, and fisheries with 26.4% of workers impacted.
The labour force number rebounded during the third quarter of 2020 following a record-breaking decline in the second quarter.
The fourth quarter saw the number of local workers aged 15 and above reach approximately 54 million, a drop of 945,000 people compared to the same period from last year.
According to the General Statistics Office (GSO), the number of working people aged 15 and above was 54.6 million in 2020, a decline of 1.2 million from the previous year.
Furthermore, the average monthly income recorded in the fourth quarter stood at VND5.7 million, a rise of VND212,000 from the previous quarter and down VND108,000 compared to the same period from last year.
A representative from the GSO noted more efforts are needed to iron out snags for businesses, making it easier for them to access convenient support policies in an attempt to stimulate the economy and meet demand for labour.
These measures will help enterprises and employees remove the risk of bankruptcy, job losses, and income reduction, whilst simultaneously creating a driving force behind production and business development, said the GSO representative.
