Invitation to IPS Online Forum on Employment Risks in the Age of Pandemics

Event Synopsis

SUMMARY:

The COVID-19outbreak has triggered an unprecedented shock on employment globally.

In Singapore,8,663 business entities closed in April. More than 19,900 jobs were lost in thefirst quarter of 2020, exceeding the number lost in the 2008-9 global financialcrisis.

• Howshould the state respond, beyond providing immediate relief to the mosthard-hit and vulnerable workers?
• Arethere innovations that can pool the employment risk of vulnerable workers andensure their job and income security?
• Howcan freelance workers and other employees in precarious employment cometogether to protect themselves from loss of income?
• Howcan governments rethink employment and social protection programmes to manageemployment risks of citizens throughout their working lifetimes?