In a nutshell
- Due to COVID-19, wage workers in Morocco and Tunisia have lost jobs, been temporarily laid off, experienced reduced hours, reduced wages, and delays in pay
- The impact of COVID-19 on wage workers has been minimal for public sector workers, but substantial in the private sector, and especially for informal workers, irregular workers, and those working outside establishments
- Farmers, the self-employed, and employers have experienced particularly sharp decreases in their revenues
- Although some workers and families are receiving government support, many in MENA are falling through a sparse safety net and experiencing large decreases in their income
- Additional social protection, as well as better targeting of support, will be needed to cushion the economic impacts of the pandemic and ensuing economic challenges
![The Impact of COVID-19 on Middle Eastern and North African Labor Markets: Vulnerable Workers, Small Entrepreneurs, and Farmers Bear the Brunt of the Pandemic in Morocco and Tunisia](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: Vulnerable Workers, Small Entrepreneurs, and Farmers Bear the Brunt of the Pandemic in Morocco and Tunisia](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: Vulnerable Workers, Small Entrepreneurs, and Farmers Bear the Brunt of the Pandemic in Morocco and Tunisia](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