- Wage workers in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia, particularly informal workers, have experienced layoffs and reduced hours and earnings due to COVID-19.
- Between November 2020 and February 2021, there were some improvements in labor force participation and employment in Morocco and Tunisia, as well as reductions in unemployment.
- Although the majority of employers and the self-employed report their businesses are open and operating, hours are reduced and the majority report lower revenues compared to 2019.
- Almost half of households reported their income had decreased compared to February 2020, and in most countries the poor experienced the largest income losses.
- Until the public health and overall economic situation improves, it will be difficult for the labor market to recover. Accordingly, the social safety net can play a critical role until recovery occurs.
- In most countries, social protection measures have reached only a small fraction of the population, a declining share from November 2020 to February 2021, and social protection systems remain poorly targeted.
- Social protection that is carefully targeted to those low-income households experiencing job and income losses is much needed.
![The Impact of COVID-19 on Middle Eastern and North African Labor Markets: Glimmers of Progress but Persistent Problems for Vulnerable Workers a Year into the Pandemic](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/Caroline-Krafft-Pic-150x150.jpg)
Authors
Caroline Krafft
Associate Professor, Humphrey School of Public Affairs,...
![The Impact of COVID-19 on Middle Eastern and North African Labor Markets: Glimmers of Progress but Persistent Problems for Vulnerable Workers a Year into the Pandemic](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/1598550439_819_100673_nl_raguiasaad-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Ragui Assaad
Professor of Planning and Public Affairs, University...
![The Impact of COVID-19 on Middle Eastern and North African Labor Markets: Glimmers of Progress but Persistent Problems for Vulnerable Workers a Year into the Pandemic](https://erf.org.eg/app/uploads/2015/12/1599657647_409_83422_nl_mohamedalimarouani-150x150.png)
Research Fellows
Mohamed Ali Marouani
Associate Professor, Université Paris1-Panthéon-Sorbonne