IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been one of the greatest public health emergencies of all time. Besides, the colossal damage to the health and well-being of individuals, COVID-19 had a significant economic impact. Particularly hard hit was the employment sector, which manifested in reduced wage rates and higher unemployment. This paper attempts to provide a comprehensive review of the profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour and employment sector. It explores the multifaceted consequences of the pandemic, including changes in employment patterns, job losses, shifts in labour demand and supply, wage disparities, and the adoption of remote work practices. Overall, we find that COVID-19 led to a widespread increase in the unemployment rate, and increased the average hours of productivity. Recommendations include building a resilient system that is able to absorb the shocks similar to COVID-19 in future, in addition to developing safer workplaces and strengthening employment and social protection systems.