Newsletter: Why are labour shortages a serious challenge for recovery?
Wednesday, 20 October 2021
This week we are touching on the issue of labour shortages, a challenge that is affecting most advanced economies and that could complicate recovery after the pandemic.
We've reached out to Iain Begg, Professorial Research Fellow at LSE and Funcas Europe, to get some answers. See below more details about our new podcast, presented by Carlos Carnicero Urabayen, Future is blue editorial coordinator.
See at the end what we are reading these days.
The implications of labour shortages are remarkable. From companies struggling to match demand, to pandemic related supply change problems, and the whole phenomenon is a big risk complicating economic growth.
Put simply, there are not enough workers in certain key sectors. Businesses are struggling to hire all the workers they need. At the same time, there is still considerable under-employment: as of the first quarter of 2021, the eurozone's active workforce remained 2.6 million below pre-pandemic levels, while the US labour force still has almost 2 million fewer people. What can policymakers on both side of the Atlantic do about all this?
Well, we've gathered some answers. Don't miss our new podcast featuring Iain Begg!
What we are reading
Labour shortages must not be seen as simple case of business vs Brexit
Disentangling effects of leaving EU from jolt of pandemic to labour market is nigh-on impossible
Robots stealing our jobs or solving labour shortages?
From fast food to farming, Covid has accelerated the rise of the worker robots, which in turn will put more jobs at risk
CER podcast: Europe's gas crisis heats up
Great podcast discussion between Christian Odendahl, Ian Bond, and Zach Meyers
Pandemic prevention: avoiding another cycle of "panic and neglect"
Agreement is needed at international level on mechanisms to ensure better preparadness for the next pandemic
Have a nice week!
Raymond Torres, Funcas Europe Director