Eurostat EU unemployment figures published todaey show job losses increased again in December after two months of relative stability. Overall, unemployment – at 16 million across the EU - is up by 2 million compared to the previous year.
December 2019: 14 million
September 2020: 16.4 million
October 2020: 16.2 million
November: 15.9 million
December 2020: 16 million
Responding to the latest figures, ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini said:
“Today’s figures show that the second wave of Covid-19 contaminations and the lockdown measures needed to deal with them are causing a second wave of job losses.
“The EU can vaccinate against rising unemployment, by prolonging job and wage protection schemes through 2021 and extending them to all workers including the self-employment. Public investment in the economy is also needed more than ever before.”
“At the same time vaccination of workers should be a priority to help to revive the economy as well as tackle the pandemic.
“This is a crucial moment. Member states must soon receive major financial support through the EU Recovery Fund and we cannot allow jobs to be lost for good in the coming months.”
Photo credit: European Parliament/PEDRO ARMESTRE
