A positive note to end 2020
We never imagined, as planning for this newsletter got underway in early 2020, that the world would be confronted by the worst public health and economic crisis since the 1920 flu.
Together, the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and the World Employment Confederation (WEC) shifted the focus and concentrated, over the past eight months, on gathering as much critical information as possible, to highlight how the pandemic affected the world of work and industrial relations. We examined the measures developed and implemented by social partners, companies, and multilateral organisations to reduce the economic and social devastation brought on by the crisis.
At the same time, and true to the spirit of this newsletter, we also reported on other relevant events impacting the world of work.
In this final edition of 2020, we would like to end on a positive note, by focusing on the vital role of the private sector in tackling the crisis and, most importantly, during the upcoming recovery. This was one of the key messages arising from the IOE Centenary General Council in November. The over 150 IOE employers’ organisation members, representing over 50 million companies, who attended the event, showcased the numerous contributions they have made to the adoption of effective economic and social policies in response to Covid-19.
Another article in line with WEC mandate spotlights the involvement of private employment services in the economic recovery, by facilitating labour market matching and improving the skills and employability of workers. It also paves the road for further action, by offsetting the negative social impact of the current economic crisis through innovation.
Finally, Singapore showed how the power of humanity can reverse the worst effects of this pandemic. Early in the crisis, the government established a centralised information platform to allow ordinary people to volunteer and support initiatives led by grassroot groups, partners, companies and the government. “It has been a display of our ability to adapt and innovate as a nation, a reminder of how important it is to be prepared for any scenario, and a timely opportunity for us to retrain and help each other grow. So that when the virus passes, we don’t just recover, but hit the ground running” commented Stephen Yee, Assistant Executive Director at Singapore National Employers Federation.