Ilan Strauss, Gilad Isaacs, Josh Rosenberg and Patieene Passoni
International Labour Organization
2020
The objective of the rapid country assessments launched by the Employment, Labour Markets and
Youth Branch (EMPLAB) of the ILO around the world is to provide constituents and other stakeholders
with a practical tool for the real-time diagnosis of the employment impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
to inform policy responses. The assessments examine the dramatic effects of the pandemic on
economic growth and employment and how it has exacerbated labour market vulnerabilities and
inequalities. They also show the importance of a prompt and targeted policy response and the value of
social dialogue.
Given the large number of jobs lost in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis (GFC), and the larger
size of the COVID-19 crisis, via health and economic channels, we can expect at least as many job losses,
if not more. South Africa has been the hardest-hit African country; globally, it has the 5th highest number
of Covid-19 cases, despite some of the strictest lockdown regulations. Compounding this situation, the
pandemic has come at a difficult time for South Africa. Last year the economy was already slowing,
leading to increasing unemployment. As a result, the Covid-19 crisis has led to a fall in formal
employment and 9 out of 10 South African businesses have reported losses in turnover.
This assessment investigates the short-term impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the South African
economy and labour market, as well as exploring the effectiveness of measures related to the
containment and reopening stages of the crisis. The results present a somber picture on employment
outcomes, revealing that groups, who were already disadvantaged before the crisis, have been
disproportionately affected.
The response to the COVID-19 pandemic needs a combination and sequencing of measures related to
the containment, reopening and eventual recovery once the global pandemic has been brought under
control. The four pillars of the ILO Covid-19 policy framework highlight the importance of maintaining
stimulus, continuing support to enterprises, jobs and incomes, protecting workers in the workplace,
especially for those at the frontline and using social dialogue to arrive at more effective policy solutions.
Over the longer term, policymakers around the world need to address the persistent inequalities that
have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis and work towards building a better future of work and a
more resilient labour market
Amaarah is a Junior Programme Officer in the Rethinking Economics for Africa project. She is currently studying towards her Masters in Applied Development Economics at Wits University. 
Dr James Musonda is the Senior Researcher on the Just Energy Transition at the IEJ. He is also the Principal Investigator for the Just Energy Transition: Localisation, Decent Work, SMMEs, and Sustainable Livelihoods project, covering South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya.
Dr Basani Baloyi is a Co-Programme Director at the IEJ. She is a feminist, development economist and activist. She gained her research experience while working on industrial policy issues in academia, at the Centre For Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) and Corporate Strategy and Industrial Development (CSID) Unit.
Dr Andrew Bennie is Senior Researcher in Climate Policy and Food Systems at the IEJ. He has extensive background in academic and civil society research, organising, and activism. Andrew has an MA in Development and Environmental Sociology, and a PhD in Sociology on food politics, the agrarian question, and collective action in South Africa, both from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Juhi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Sociology from Wits University and an Honours degree in Development Studies from the University of Cape Town. Her current research focus is on social care regimes in the South African context, with a particular focus on state responses to Early Childhood Development and Long-Term Care for older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her other research areas include feminist economics, worlds of work and the care economy.
Bandile Ngidi is the Programme Officer for Rethinking Economics for Africa. Bandile has previously worked at the National Minimum Wage Research Initiative and Oxfam South Africa. He holds a Masters in Development Theory and Policy from Wits University. He joined the IEJ in August 2018. Bandile is currently working on incubating the Rethinking Economics for Africa movement (working with students, academics and broader civil society). 
Liso Mdutyana has a BCom in Philosophy and Economics, an Honours in Applied Development Economics, and a Masters in Applied Development Economics from Wits University. His areas of interest include political economy, labour markets, technology and work, and industrial policy. Through his work Liso aims to show the possibility and necessity of economic development that prioritises human wellbeing for everyone.
Joan Stott holds a Bachelor of Business Science in Economics and a Master’s in Economics from Rhodes University. She brings to the IEJ a wealth of experience in public finance management, policy development, institutional capacity-building, and advancing socioeconomic and fiscal justice.
Siyanda Baduza is a Junior Basic Income Researcher at IEJ. He holds a BSc in Economics and Mathematics, an Honours degree in Applied Development Economics, and is currently completing a Master’s degree in Applied Development Economics at the University of the Witwatersrand. Siyanda’s research focuses on the impacts of social grants on wellbeing, with a particular focus on the gendered dynamics of this impact. His interests include applied micro-economics, policy impact evaluation, labour markets, gender economics, and political economy. He is passionate about translating economic research into impactful policy.
Shikwane is a Junior Programme Officer at IEJ focusing on civil society support and global governance in the G20. He has a background in legal compliance, IT contracting and student activism. He holds degrees in Political Studies and International Relations, as well as an LLB, from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Dr Tsega is a Senior Researcher focusing on Women’s Economic Empowerment within the G20. She examines gender equity in economic policy, with expertise in food systems and small enterprise development. She holds a PhD in development studies from the University of the Western Cape, an MA in Development Economics, and degrees in Development Studies and Economics from UNISA and Addis Ababa University.
Nerissa is a G20 Junior Researcher at IEJ, focusing on advancing civil society priorities within the G20 framework. She bridges data, research, and policy to advance inclusive economic frameworks. She is completing a Master’s in Data Science (e-Science) at the University of the Witwatersrand, and holds Honours and Bachelor’s Degrees in International Relations with distinction. She has worked as a Research Fellow at SAIIA and a Visiting Research Fellow at Ipea in Brazil.
Dr Mzwanele is a Senior Researcher supporting South Africa’s G20 Sherpa with policy research. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Birmingham and an MSc from the University of the Witwatersrand. His work covers open macroeconomics, trade, finance, and higher education policy, and he has published widely on inequality, unemployment, household debt and higher education curriculum reform.
Kamal is the Project Lead for IEJ’s G20 work, focusing on sovereign debt and development finance. He holds a BComm (Hons) in Applied Development Economics from the University of the Witwatersrand and an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters in Economic Policies for the Global Transition. He has worked with SCIS, UNCTAD and co-founded Rethinking Economics for Africa.