Istanbul Gelisim University - Coronavirus causes record unemployment in the USA

Coronavirus causes record unemployment in the USA

In addition to the health-related effects of the coronavirus pandemic, it also had a heavy toll to the states economically. Stating that economic activities have slowed down in many areas, especially in the service sector, along with curfews applied worldwide. Lect. Mehmet Başcıllar said: “While the rate of those who lost their jobs in March was 4.4 percent in the USA, which was greatly affected by the epidemic, this rate reached a record level in April, reaching 14.7 percent. The figures show that 20.5 million people lost their jobs in the USA in April.”

“UNEMPLOYMENT RATE INCREASED TO 13 PERCENT, 2 MILLION UNEMPLOYED”

Stating that the pandemic process does not bid fair for the labor market for Canada as well, Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) Social Service Department Lecturer Mehmet Başcıllar spoke: “Unemployment rate rose to 13 percent in Canada in April. This rate means that approximately 2 million people were unemployed in Canada in April. The official report showing the effects of coronavirus outbreak in Turkey on the labor market by TurkStat is expected to be announced in June - July.

“MENTAL EFFECTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT: DEPRESSION, STRESS, ANXIETY, SUICIDAL IDEATION”

Evaluated that unemployment has not only economic but also psychological effects, Başcıllar said: “Although unemployment is attempted to be expressed in numbers or graphics, we had better not ignore that every individual, family, or even the public in general is affected by unemployment in a multidimensional way. I consider that the global destruction of the pandemic will begin to feel more in the near future of individuals, families and society. Rising unemployment rates in developed countries also support this view. Psychological effects of unemployment are depression, stress, anxiety, suicidal ideation; and issues such as domestic violence, social exclusion and divorce are among the social effects of unemployment. Social policies for psychosocial problems caused by unemployment must already be determined at the global and national level.”

“MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS ARE COMMON IN THE UNEMPLOYED”

In three different studies conducted in South Korea, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy, it was found that mental health problems are significantly more common among unemployed individuals, Başcıllar spoke: “Another study in Germany concluded that unemployed participants showed more depressive symptoms than other participants. In the study conducted in England, it was found that the rate of suicide in the unemployed population is 5 times higher than the general population. Yet another study in the UK showed that 1 percent increase in male employment rate reduced physical violence against women by 3 percent. In Turkey, the TUIK's research results show that 42.6 percent of women and 17.8 percent of men divorce because they cannot afford their life in the marriage due to the lack of economic livelihood.”

SO, WHAT TO DO?

Lecturer Başcıllar spoke: “According to Article 49 of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey, to work is a right, the State shall support people to work and take the necessary measures to prevent the provision of unemployment. Our most important institution is undoubtedly the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services in the realization of these principles included in the Constitution. The economic effects of the outbreak are unfortunately felt more severe by the fragile groups of society. In this framework, the development of social policies sensitive to the psychological and social effects of unemployment on individuals, families and society in general is extremely important. In collaboration with ministries, local governments and non-governmental organizations, comprehensive psychosocial services should be provided in the unemployment area with mental health professionals, including social service workers.”