International Labour Organization: "COVID-19 Hits Women and Low-Wage Workers Hard"

ILO Announces '2020/21 Global Wage Report'
Women’s Wages Down 8.1% · Men’s Down 5.4%

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] A survey has revealed that women and low-wage workers have been the most severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the '2020/21 Global Wage Report' released by the International Labour Organization (ILO) on the 2nd (local time), the income of female workers in 28 European countries decreased by 8.1% in the second quarter of this year, excluding subsidies. In contrast, male workers' income fell by 5.4% during the same period.

Overall sector income declined by 6.5% excluding subsidies, but among workers earning minimum wage, half experienced a 17.3% decrease in income.

The working hours of low-skilled workers also decreased more sharply compared to high-income professional workers.

The ILO explained that the average wage in one-third of the countries providing data actually increased because a significant number of low-wage workers lost their jobs and were excluded from the calculations, thus raising the average.

The report expressed concern that wages are likely to continue to decline significantly for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19.

It also pointed out that although 90% of member countries have implemented minimum wage systems, 15% of workers worldwide were paid less than the set minimum hourly wage even before the pandemic, emphasizing the need to ensure proper enforcement of these systems.

Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General, stated, "Inequality caused by the COVID-19 crisis is further threatening poverty and socio-economic instability," and suggested that "wage policies considering job and business sustainability are necessary."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.