Social Watch News
Published on Thu, 2020-05-14 12:11
The COVID-19 health crisis added to the multidimensional crises in the Arab region and their manifestation in conflicts, wars, economic and social inequalities, and the increasing number of refugees and migrants. It could lead to severe repercussions at the economic, social, and political levels. According to an ESCWA preliminary estimate, the region will lose at least USD42 billion in 2020 due to the Corona pandemic. ESCWA also considered that the global spread of the virus and the growing impact of low oil prices could aggravate income losses. Unemployment is expected to increase by 1.2 percentage points, meaning the loss of around 1.7 million jobs. The Arab region registers some of the highest rates of inequality around the world, and informal employment accounts for 50% of jobs. It also lacks universal social protection systems and is thus unable to protect workers and ensure their dignity during work stoppages. |
Published on Tue, 2020-05-12 00:00
Paid Sick Leave a Crucial Weapon During COVID-19 Era and BeyondGlobal study shows that gaps in coverage for ailing workers put nations’ health and economic security at risk At a time when the world’s attention is focused on curbing the spread of infectious disease, new research by the UCLA WORLD Policy Analysis Center shows that strengthening guarantees of paid sick leave is crucial to protecting health and economic security around the globe. |
Published on Mon, 2020-05-11 11:02
The Coronavirus Global Response pledging event on 4 May celebrated raising 7.4 billion euro for the collaborative development of vaccines, treatment and diagnostics, but there is lack of clarity on ensuring equitable access and the role of the World Health Organization (WHO). The European Commission pledged 1.4 billion euro, while other leading contributors included France (510 million euro), Germany (525 million), Japan (762 million), Spain (125 million), Canada (551 million), Norway (188 million), UK (441 million) and Italy (71.5 million). The USA was conspicuously absent. |
Published on Tue, 2020-05-05 12:32
The 2020 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) is scheduled to review the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and progress towards the SDGs on 7- 16 July 2020. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) has released a provisional programme and concept note for the 2020 HLPF. DESA has also announced new modalities for virtual side events and exhibitions: |
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México ha concluido, en plena pandemia, la modernización de su acuerdo de asociación con la UE. Grandes oportunidades ven unos, más de lo mismo ven otros. |
Published on Thu, 2020-04-30 15:01
The International Labour Organization (ILO) issued a COVID-19 monitor on the world of work in light of the global coronavirus on 29 April. This was accompanied by a press release specifically focusing on informal work. It reports that: “1.6 billion workers in the informal economy – that is nearly half of the global workforce – stand in immediate danger of having their livelihoods destroyed” due to COVID-19. |
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Un puente aéreo para llevar ayuda humanitaria concerniente a la lucha contra el COVID19. Un paquete de 20 mil millones de euros para ayudar a los países socios que más lo necesiten. Repatriación de medio millón de ciudadanos: éstas son, básicamente, las medidas que se plantean como ayuda inmediata desde Bruselas para países terceros. Van llegando también aportes puntuales de los países como una clínica móvil y equipos médicos de Alemania para Colombia. |
Published on Tue, 2020-04-28 22:21
WHO ACT Accelerator On 24 April, the World Health Organization announced a multi-stakeholder initiative called the “Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, or the ACT Accelerator”. The ACT Accelerator describes itself as “a collaboration to accelerate the development, production and equitable global access to new COVID-19 essential health technologies”. It is “grounded in a vision of a planet protected from human suffering and the devastating social and economic consequences of COVID-19”. |
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La UE prepara un plan de ayuda a sus socios. Pero los fondos de cooperación que pueda poner a disposición no alcanzan en América Latina. La verdadera ayuda pasaría por negociar la deuda, dicen especialistas. |
Published on Fri, 2020-04-24 14:18
Member States adopted General Assembly Resolution “International cooperation to ensure global access to medicines, vaccines and medical equipment to face COVID-19” on 20 April under silence procedure. The resolution, drafted by Mexico and sponsored by 75 other delegations, states that the current crisis calls for: |
