ILO Budapest Newsletter 2020 September

This issue reports on ILO response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Central and Eastern European region, highlighting the new rapid assessment reports in Serbia and Montenegro. It introduces programme results and new projects, and features fresh publications and staff.

Read the full issue online 

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

The ILO Office for Central and Eastern Europe continued to assist the region in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic with country assessments and enterprise surveys. A recommendation of the office resulted in a policy change in North Macedonia, and we also trained labour inspectors and SMEs.

ILO RESPONSE TO COVID-19 IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

COVID-19 and the World of work: Rapid assessment of the employment impacts and policy responses in Montenegro
The ILO/EBRD report says 36,000 jobs are ate immediate risk after the lockdown measures.

COVID-19 and the World of work: Rapid assessment of the employment impacts and policy responses in Serbia
The ILO/EBRD rapid assessment found that in Serbia, the decline in working hours is equivalent to the loss of 510,000 full-time jobs. By offering the most generous and comprehensive economic package among the Western Balkan economies, the Serbian government managed to contain “the expansion of poverty.”
 
Rapid assessments on the impact of COVID-19 on enterprises in four Western Balkan countries reveal significant disruption and job loss but also readiness to resume operations

Employers' organizations carried out a survey among their member enterprises to look at how the pandemic affected businesses.
 
Youth and COVID-19 in Poland: Impacts on jobs, education, rights and mental well-being 
The global ILO survey found that the impact of the pandemic on young people in Poland has been systematic, deep and disproportionate.

Videos: How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact working life in North Macedonia and Ukraine?
Bilingual videos with workers and employers from different sectors explaining how their lives have changed due to the pandemic and what they do in response.

SELECTED ILO RESOURCES RELATED TO COVID-19 RESPONSE 

ILO Monitor: COVID-19 and the world of work. Updated estimates and analysis
The ILO regularly publishes global estimates of the economic and social impact of the pandemic. ILO Monitor Fourth Edition and Fifth Edition
 
ILO Policy Brief: A policy framework for tackling the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 crisis 
The ILO has structured its key policy messages for response to the crisis around four pillars. 

NEW RESULTS

Where innovation meets job-creation: Centre for Entrepreneurship opens with ILO support in Sarajevo
The new centre provides long-term support to young entrepreneurs as they start their businesses and create new jobs.  

NEW PROJECTS SIGNED

Municipal social protection in Albania
The ILO/UNICEF joint programme aims to improve Municipal level ownership over the provision of social protection services to vulnerable groups in local communities.
 
Budget planning for Sustainable Development Goals in Albania 
This joint programme of UN agencies will provide technical assistance and work with the government to integrate in the national budgetary framework more equitable and adequate financing for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
 
Towards the Sustainable Development Goals in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The joint intervention of five UN agencies will develop finance reviews, foster social dialogue and support the governments at national and sub-national levels to help them achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
 
Safe return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic in Moldova
This intervention supports the national efforts to ensure safe and healthy workplaces in the context of the pandemic crisis and beyond. The ILO will train the State Labour Inspectorate to conduct integrated workplace inspections.
 
Effective COVID-19 response in Moldova: Social dialogue for local job creation through Local Employment Partnerships
The new ILO project will assist the tripartite constituents in adopting an inclusive, gender-responsive recovery strategy after the COVID-19 crisis and in generating quality jobs for vulnerable workers.
 
Mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 in the world of work in Montenegro
The project funded by DFID works to assist the labour market governance so that it responds with operational efficiency and the inclusion of vulnerable groups to the COVID-19 crisis.
 
E-learning in TVET in Ukraine
To support the Ministry of Education in rolling out digital Technical and Vocational Education and Training, this action will assist Ukraine in piloting e-Learning in TVET in four different occupations.
 

FRESH OFF THE PRINTING PRESS

COVID-19 and the World of Work: Rapid assessment of employment impacts and policy responses. Montenegro

COVID-19 and the World of Work: Rapid assessment of employment impacts and policy responses. Serbia

A comparative overview of drivers and outcomes of labour law and industrial relations reforms in selected Central and Eastern European countries

WHAT ARE YOU READING?

Colleagues recommend work-related books, articles, blogs

NEW STAFF