The latest brief from the ILO highlights the negative impact of the earthquake on an already fragile labour and socioeconomic situation.
Upwards of 3.5 million workers were employed in the area directly impacted by the earthquake. This represents US$36.8 million in potential earnings lost per day (equivalent to US$9.6 billion in lost earnings per annum) if these workers are unable to work or find quality employment elsewhere.
In the short term, humanitarian emergency cash assistance is needed, ideally linked to decent employment promotion (for instance, in debris removal or infrastructure reconstruction) with fair wages that are based on the needs of workers and their families.
The ILO will continue to monitor the labour market and social consequences of the earthquake as more data become available. Future work will also provide greater insights on the medium term support measures that are needed to promote decent work and prevent abuses such as child labour or forced labour.