Pandemic renders new generation shell-shocked ­— ILO

MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 pandemic is “inflicting multiple shocks” on the young that threatens the entire generation, making them deeply uncertain over future career prospects, according to a new report of the United Nations labor agency.

Since the pandemic began, the International Labor Organization (ILO) said more than 70 percent of students have been shut out of schools, universities and training centers.

The “ILO Youth and COVID-19: Impacts on Jobs, Education, Rights and Mental Well-being” report revealed that 65 percent of young people have reported learning less since the pandemic began, citing the transition from classroom to online and distance learning, during lockdown.

“The pandemic is inflicting multiple shocks on young people. It is not only destroying their jobs and employment prospects, but also disrupting their education and training and having a serious impact on their mental well-being,” ILO director general Guy Ryder warned.

Against the backdrop of further obstacles in the labor market and a lengthened transition from school to work due to the pandemic, the report showed 38 percent of young people feeling deeply uncertain over future career prospects.

With one in six having had to stop work since the onset of the pandemic, some have already been directly impacted, suffering lost income. At the same time, 42 percent of those who have continued to work have seen their incomes reduced, maintaining that this also affects their mental wellbeing, ILO said.

The survey found that half of all young people have been feeling some degree of anxiety or depression during the pandemic.

Despite their efforts to continue studying and training, half of the students surveyed believed their studies would be delayed, while nine percent feared that they might fail altogether.

And for those in lower-income countries with limited internet access, a dearth of equipment and sometimes a lack of space at home to work effectively, the situation is even worse.

The report shines a light on the large digital divide between regions.

While 65 percent of youth in high-income countries were taught classes via video-lectures, only 18 percent in low-income countries were able to maintain their studies online.

“We cannot let this happen” going forward, the ILO chief said.

To protect an entire generation from having their employment prospects permanently scarred by the crisis, the Youth and COVID-19 report calls for urgent, large-scale and targeted policy responses, including re-integrating back into the labor market those who have lost jobs and instituting effective measures to boost mental health.