Against the background of the serious negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the employment and income situation of many people worldwide, the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers agreed on a joint approach to overcoming the current challenges on 23 April 2020. In a joint declaration, they reaffirmed the G20's strong commitment to finding solutions that can be implemented quickly to help overcome the negative social, economic and health effects of the pandemic on workers.
State Secretary Björn Böhning , who represented the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in the virtual meeting of ministers, made the following statement:
COVID-19 does not respect national borders. The G20 must stand together and find responses that mitigate the effects of the crisis on labour markets worldwide. Fair globalisation is built on social safety nets for all, health standards and adequate occupational safety worldwide.
The International Labour Organization estimates that worldwide 23 million jobs are threatened by the pandemic, and 2.7 billion workers and self-employed persons are affected by the current measures to prevent the spread of the Corona virus. People in precarious employment and in the world's least developed countries are being hit hardest by the crisis.
In their joint commitment, the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers expressed the wish to support the financial and social security of the most affected in particular. They emphasise that close cooperation with the social partners and international organisations is essential to successfully overcome the major social and employment challenges of the crisis.