Ireland employment rose universally post-Covid-19

DUBLIN, Ireland: New research from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) reveals that employment rates increased across nearly all demographics in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, accompanied by declines in unemployment and labor market inactivity.

The study delved into the pandemic's equality impact on the labor market, contrasting pre-pandemic conditions with the post-pandemic landscape. It suggests that extensive state intervention during the crisis, particularly regarding employment and social welfare supports, likely facilitated the recovery.

At its peak, Covid-related employment initiatives aided approximately one million individuals and 37,000 enterprises.

The report advocates for the potential future activation of similar schemes during labor market crises, provided they are meticulously designed and sufficiently funded. However, despite the employment rebound, the study notes that pre-existing inequalities persist post-pandemic.

Certain groups, such as those with lower education levels, experienced exacerbated disparities in labor market participation and job opportunities compared to other demographics. Disabled individuals also saw minimal change in economic activation pre and post-pandemic, emphasizing the necessity for targeted employment strategies for historically marginalized groups.

Moreover, access to remote work was unevenly distributed. Young people faced substantial declines in employment and participation, while higher education emerged as a protective factor, with significantly higher employment rates among those with advanced education levels throughout the pandemic.

Eoin Roynane, commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, said, "While the labor market has seen a remarkable recovery post-COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the stabilizing role of significant public investment, we know that inequality persists. It is critical now that the State embeds this learning, ensuring access to decent, quality work for all. We know that the impact of the pandemic was not evenly spread across all groups in society."

"I encourage the State to include a thorough examination of the impact of the pandemic on all groups, including those most marginalized and at risk of inequality, in its upcoming COVID-19 inquiry."

Author of the report, Anousheh Alamir of the ESRI, highlighted the significant rise of remote working as a potential enduring legacy of the pandemic. "Yet not all jobs can be performed remotely, and some groups, such as those with lower qualifications and those based in rural areas, have not shared equally in access to remote working."

"The full consequences of remote working have yet to play out and this underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring of its effects on work and workers."