Wednesday, March 25, 2020

G-20 summit provides chance to rally strongly against coronavirus threat: UN chief

G-20 summit provides chance to rally strongly against coronavirus threat: UN chief

UN Japan/Ichiro Mae.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the G-20 summit in Japan in 2019. He is shown at the Climate Change Trilateral Meeting with HE Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Foreign Minister of France and HE Mr. Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of China
    
24 March 2020
Health
The COVID-19 crisis presents an "extraordinary opportunity" for the world’s leading economic forum to respond to the numerous threats the disease poses to people everywhere, the UN Secretary-General has said.
In a letter to the members of the Group of 20 industralized powers (G-20), António Guterres welcomed their decision to convene an emergency virtual summit on the pandemic, which has already affected health, education and economies worldwide.
"COVID-19 will require a response like none before -- a ‘war-time’ plan in times of human crisis", he wrote on Monday.
"The G-20 leadership has an extraordinary opportunity to step forward with a strong response package to address the various threats of COVID-19. This would demonstrate solidarity with the world’s people, especially the most vulnerable".

Coronavirus Portal & News Updates

Suppress the virus

Mr. Guterres recommended three areas for discussion and decision-making at the meeting, due to be held on Thursday.
Topping his list is the need for coordinated action to suppress the virus through "an articulated response mechanism" guided by the World Health Organization (WHO).
"Such a mechanism would strengthen the global response and provide countries with stronger capabilities to stop transmission: test, trace, quarantine, treat the sick and coordinate measures to restrict movement and contact. It would also help enhance scientific collaboration in the search for a vaccine and therapeutic treatment", he said.
Additionally, he called for increased procurement of medical and protective equipment, particularly for developing countries, and offered up the UN’s global supply network for this purpose.
G-20 leaders were also asked to ban tariffs and remove restrictions on cross-border trade that affects the deployment of medical equipment, medicines and other essential goods.
"And I am encouraging the waiving of sanctions imposed on countries to ensure access to food, essential health supplies, and COVID-19 medical support. This is the time for solidarity not exclusion", the Secretary-General added.

Stimulus package for developing countries

For his second point, Mr. Guterres previewed the social and economic impact of the pandemic, which is likely to be in the trillions of dollars. He urged the G-20 to launch a large-scale stimulus package for developing countries.
"Unlike 2008, this is not a banking crisis", he said. "While the liquidity of the financial system must be guaranteed, we need to focus on people — families, low-wage workers, small and medium enterprises and the informal sector. Important steps have already been taken by developed countries in this direction. This must be scaled up".
Furthermore, developing economies also will require a support package that could include trade credits, liquidity lines and help in accessing concessional financing.

‘Recover better’ through sustainable development

Looking further ahead, the UN chief underlined the need to "recover better" through more inclusive and sustainable development models. The pandemic has served as a "stark reminder" of humanity’s common fate and the need to invest in critical public services and social protection systems.
He reminded G-20 leaders of the agreed global framework for action through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
"We must ensure that the recovery strategy out of this crisis keeps us on track towards these longer-term objectives, building a sustainable and inclusive economy", he said.
Mr. Guterres also urged G-20 nations to "contribute generously" to the COVID-19 humanitarian appeal he will launch on Wednesday, mainly focused on 40 countries where health systems are most vulnerable.
Courtesy:UN News

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posted by Sunny @ March 25, 2020   0 Comments

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Swift policy action, strong leadership can save millions of jobs, ‘avert the worst’ amid COVID-19 pandemic

Swift policy action, strong leadership can save millions of jobs, ‘avert the worst’ amid COVID-19 pandemic

Worldbank/Abbas Farzami
Construction workers do road work in Kabul, Afghanistan.
    
18 March 2020
Economic Development
As dire forecasts about the global economy add to the anxiety surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN’s labour agency (ILO) on Thursday offered a range of urgent measures, which, if governments act quickly, can help to protect workers in the workplace, stimulate the economy and save millions of jobs.
Noting that the economic and labour crisis created by the pandemic could greatly increase worldwide unemployment, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said that an internationally-coordinated policy response – as happened in the 2008 financial crisis – could significantly lower the impact on global unemployment.
“This is no longer only a global health crisis, it is also a major labour market and economic crisis that is having a huge impact on people”, said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder. “In 2008, the world presented a united front to address the consequences of the global financial crisis, and the worst was averted. We need that kind of leadership and resolve now”.
ILO’s new report, COVID-19 and the world of work: Impacts and responses, calls for urgent, large-scale measures across three pillars: protecting workers in the workplace; stimulating the economy and employment; and supporting jobs and incomes – each to include measures to extend social protections and support employment retention and financial and tax relief.
“In times of crisis like the current one, we have two key tools that can help mitigate the damage and restore public confidence”, said the ILO chief. 
He called the first, for social dialogue and to engage with workers, employers and their representatives, “vital for building public trust and support for the measures that we need to overcome this crisis”. 
According to Mr. Ryder, the second tool, for international labour standards, provides a “tried-and-trusted foundation” for policy responses that focus on a recovery that is sustainable and equitable. 

Protecting workers

To protect workers in the workplace, ILO advocated for teleworking and staggered hours; greater paid sick leave; occupational support – such as hotlines and dedicated websites; and to stem any and all discrimination and exclusion – including stigmatization.
Other protective measures include childcare support for working parents when schools and nurseries are closed. 

Kickstart the economic

Active fiscal and monetary policies, such as cutting interest rates, can stimulate the economy and accelerate employment, in line with the second pillar.
Tax breaks and waivers for social security contributions, as well as extending deadlines for mortgage payments and financially supporting specific sectors, including the health, can also help mitigate coronavirus-related economic impacts.

Coronavirus Portal & News Updates

Support employment

ILO stated that work reduction, compensation arrangements and social assistance would help to support employment and incomes.
The UN agency pointed out that several countries are introducing financial support and tax relief, including for small merchants and that affected companies could also benefit from postponing social or tax installments, or even tax rebates in the most extreme or difficult situations. 
While these measures will help to contain the pandemic, to respond to the emergency needs it has generated and to pave the way to a gradual recovery, ILO acknowledged that more needs to be done. 
Looking back at past crises and the experiences of the countries that have reacted too late to the current COVID-19 crisis, ILO underscored the urgency of preparedness and early action.
“Everything needs to be done to minimize the damage to people at this difficult time”, concluded Mr. Ryder.

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posted by Sunny @ March 18, 2020   0 Comments

Sunday, March 15, 2020

View from The Hill: Coronavirus hits at the heart of Morrison’s government, with Peter Dutton infected

View from The Hill: Coronavirus hits at the heart of Morrison’s government, with Peter Dutton infected

 Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
It was a sensational day in the ever-escalating coronavirus story, with Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton on Friday testing positive for COVID-19 and admitted to hospital.
Meanwhile, sporting and other organisations prepared for massive changes, after the government’s announcement of the latest moves to try to contain the spread of the virus.
In a sweeping set of measures, based on medical advice and unveiled by Prime Minister Scott Morrison following a meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), organisations have been advised against mass gatherings of 500 people or more, a national cabinet of federal and state leaders is being formed, and Australians are being told not to travel abroad unless they really need to.
The revelation about Dutton - who recently visited the United States - threw the Prime Minister’s Office into a spin. Dutton had attended cabinet on Tuesday. Did this mean he could have infected the whole upper echelon of the government as a job lot?
Well, no, came the word from the PMO. The medical advice was that only people who’d had close contact with Dutton in the 24 hours before he showed symptoms needed to self-isolate.
The latest indication is the Prime Minister doesn’t plan to be tested, because he doesn’t need to be. But don’t take that for gospel. Everything can change in a few hours. For example, on Friday afternoon Morrison was proposing to go to the football on Saturday; on Friday night he wasn’t.
The coronavirus crisis is moving so fast that by Friday, the government’s $17.6 billion stimulus package, critically important though it is, seemed very much Thursday’s news.
On Friday morning, praise for the government’s handling of the crisis suddenly seemed to be changing into criticism, with attention shifting sharply from economics to health and questions mounting. Why was it so tardy with its advertising campaign? Where was the “clear plan” it said it had to deal with the virus and was it adequate?
By mid-afternoon Friday – and a few hours after the Melbourne Grand Prix was cancelled – the dramatic new stage of the fight against COVID-19 started to unfold.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the “national cabinet” - a sort of health war cabinet - has no precedent in Australian history. To meet weekly from Sunday, it is a too-rare example of the federation working at its best, across state boundaries and party lines. In this highly complex situation, maximum co-ordination of effort and resources is vital.
The advice on mass gatherings - to apply from Monday – had seemed inevitable sooner or later. Critics were saying it should have been already in place. It is not a formal ban, but that’s unlikely to be necessary. What organisation would fly in the face of the recommendation?
Both Morrison and Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy were at pains to say this action was being taken early, to keep ahead of the rapidly evolving situation.
“This is a scalable response,” said Morrison. “What we’re doing here is taking an abundance-of-caution approach”.
“What we’re seeking to do is lower the level of overall risk and at the same time ensure that we minimise any broader disruption that is not necessary at this stage.”
“There is every reason for calm,” he insisted, even as the general community becomes, understandably, increasingly alarmed.
Earlier Morrison told Alan Jones: “I think it’s important for our economy and just our general well-being … that people sort of get on about their lives, you know, ‘keep calm and carry on’ is the saying.”
The government cannot avoid the inherent conflict between the duelling imperatives of health considerations and economic ones.
The greater the restrictions, even voluntary ones, on activity, the worse for the economy.
Some people might have spent at least part of their $750 cash handout from the stimulus on attending sporting events and the like.
More generally, while ramping up the protection measures is designed to make people not just safer but also feel safer, it equally could make them more anxious.
That could not just be a disincentive for individuals to spend their handouts, but also discourage businesses from buying new equipment, or even hanging onto workers, despite the encouragement they are being given.
The attempt to contain the spread of the virus for as long as possible is vital for the health system. An early big surge could overwhelm the intensive care facilities, which will cope much better if admissions are stretched over an extended period.
But for the economy, extending the duration in this manner worsens the impact.
This is an indication of the “wicked problem” the coronavirus is. Every policy response may produce some negative reactions, as well as the desired ones.
On some fronts the governments are trying to hold the line. They are not, for example, recommending schools or universities shut. A distinction is being made between “non-essential” gatherings and essential activities, like going to school or work.
In practice schools – which come under state responsibility – are shutting down on an individual basis for varying lengths of time when cases of the virus are discovered.
The Dutton diagnosis has raised the question the government hasn’t wanted to confront - how the parliament handles the outbreak when it spreads to one of its own.
Parliament resumes the week after next, with the priority to pass the legislation for the stimulus. It then adjourns until the May budget.
Asked on Friday about the implications of the “mass gatherings” edict for parliament, Morrison said parliament fell into the “essential” category but he flagged that visitors to the public galleries might be banned.
At that stage, Dutton’s illness had not become public.
It should be remembered that parliament doesn’t just belong to the government - making the question of its coming sittings still a live issue.

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posted by Sunny @ March 15, 2020   0 Comments