# Europe’s Workforce

(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 01, 2020 A sign is seen in the window of a shop explaining to customers that it has temporarily closed due to the coronavirus outbreak in Portobello Market in west London, following the easing of the lockdown restrictions during the novel coronavirus pandemic. - Britain's economy shrank by more than a fifth in April from March, official data showed on June 12, 2020, as the first full month of coronavirus lockdown ravaged activity. Gross domestic product nosedived by a record 20.4 percent from the previous month, after a 5.8-percent contraction in March, the Office for National Statistics said. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)
(FILES) In this file photo taken on June […]
coronavirus, Europe's Workforce, Health, Infographic

Global employment crisis deepening, equivalent of 400 million jobs lost: UN

The coronavirus crisis has taken a much heavier economic toll than previously feared, with the UN warnng that the equivalent of 400 million jobs have been lost during the pandemic
4 days ago
Aircrafts of German airline Lufthansa are seen at "Franz-Josef-Strauss" airport in Munich, southern Germany, on June 25, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic. - German airline Lufthansa was poised to clear a key shareholder vote on its nine billion euro ($10 billion) state rescue on June 25, 2020, boosted by the EU's green light and the last-minute backing of a billionaire investor who had the power to veto the plan. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP)
Aircrafts of German airline Lufthansa ar […]
coronavirus, Europe's Workforce, Tourism, Trade, Infographic, Video

Aviation, automobiles and other virus victims

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated several industries, from aviation and automobiles to retail and energy. Who are the major casualties, amid all the layoffs, bankruptcies and rescue plans?
1 week ago
In this photo illustration, a COVID-19 Unemployment Assistance Updates logo is displayed on a smartphone on top of an application for unemployment benefits on May 8, 2020, in Arlington, Virginia. - With shops and factories closed nationwide due to the coronavirus pandemic, nearly all of the jobs created in the US economy in the last decade were wiped out in a single month. An unprecedented 20.5 million jobs were destroyed in April in the world's largest economy, driving the unemployment rate to 14.7 percent compared to 4.4 percent in March, the Labor Department said in its monthly report, the first to capture the impact of a full month of the lockdowns. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP)
In this photo illustration, a COVID-19 U […]
coronavirus, Europe's Workforce, Health, Infographic

Virus fallout takes heavy toll on young workers

"Generation Z" -- those aged 18-24 -- will be hardest hit by the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic as employers slash jobs and cut back on graduate recruitment and internships, studies show
2 weeks ago
(FILES) In this file photo taken on May 2, 2020 a hospital staff stands in front of 'Mitra', a robot equipped with a thermal camera installed to register and conduct preliminary screening of patients before directing them to respective medical specialists to prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus, at Fortis hospital in Bangalore. (Photo by Manjunath Kiran / AFP)
(FILES) In this file photo taken on May […]
coronavirus, Europe's Workforce, Health, Infographic, Video, Video 3D

Robots: allies during virus crisis, enemies later?

When human contact needs to be kept to a minimum, robots can save lives and factories. But when the coronavirus crisis is over, will they amplify job losses?
3 weeks ago
A shopper walks past a sign reading "Welcome Back" in the window display of a re-opened Zara shop in Grafton Street in central Dublin, Ireland on June 8, 2020, as lockdown measures are eased during the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. - Stores and some offices reopened on Monday in Ireland, as the government decided to speed up deconfinement due to progress in fighting the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic in the country. (Photo by PAUL FAITH / AFP)
A shopper walks past a sign reading "Wel […]
coronavirus, Europe's Workforce, Infographic, Video 3D

Down but not out: crisis puts the brakes on fast fashion

Zara, H&M and Gap may be reopening their stores but the coronavirus has had a devastating impact on the fast fashion sector, which needs a radical overhaul if it is to recover, experts say
3 weeks ago
The aerial view shows parked airplanes at the airport Duesseldorf, western Germany, on May 8, 2020. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP)
The aerial view shows parked airplanes a […]
coronavirus, Europe's Workforce, Health, Transportation and mobility, Infographic, Video 3D

Airlines hit wall of debt after COVID-19 grounding

The coronavirus has forced many airlines to ground their fleets and appeal for state assistance but experts fear these carriers are now weighed down by debt ahead of a return to normal service
4 weeks ago
(FILES) In this file handout photo and released by Airbus on May 29, 2019 shows Airbus commercial aircrafts on the tarmac in Toulouse as the company is celebrating its 50th anniversary. - French entrepreneur Didier Cauquil walks, concerned, through the aisles of his factory where only six machines out of 32 operate: the crisis in the aeronautical sector has brought the company to its knees, which manufactures parts near Toulouse, the headquarter for Airbus. (Photo by Jean-Vincent Reymondon / Airbus / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / AIRBUS/ MASTER FILMS/ JEAN-VINCENT REYMONDON" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
(FILES) In this file handout photo and r […]
coronavirus, Europe's Workforce, Health, Transportation and mobility, Infographic, Video 3D

France pledges 15 bn euros of aid for aviation sector

France has pledged 15 billion euros ($16.9 billion) for the country's aviation industry, where thousands of jobs are on the line as the coronavirus crisis hammers the travel industry
4 weeks ago
People walk in front of the Colosseum illuminated in the colors of the Italian flag on May 31, 2020, in Rome. - The Colosseum reopens on June 1. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)
People walk in front of the Colosseum il […]
coronavirus, Europe's Workforce, Health, Tourism, Infographic, Video

Virus-battered Italy faces worst recession since WWII

Facing its deepest recession since World War II and with business confidence collapsing, the coronavirus pandemic is hitting Italy's economy hard
1 month ago
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY MARIETTE LE ROUX (FILES) This file photo taken on December 6, 2008 shows a prostitute, waiting for clients behind her window in the red light district of Amsterdam. Dutch prostitute Terry van der Zijden proudly points to a photo she took of the bedroom in which she plies her trade; a sexless still-life neatly mounted on the wall of an Amsterdam art gallery. "There is my bed, that is my bureau" she states matter-of-factly in front of a picture of a room with tranquil green linen, scatter cushions and potted flowers -- part of an exhibition entitled "This is my workplace" by sex workers who completed a photography course in June. AFP PHOTO/ANOEK DE GROOT (Photo by ANOEK DE GROOT / AFP)
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY MARIETTE LE ROUX […]
coronavirus, Europe's Workforce, Health, Video, Video 3D

Sex workers’ hands tied under virus lockdowns

Across Europe, the coronavirus pandemic has forced many sex workers to rely on hardship funds and online platforms to make ends meet with many worried about the future after lockdowns are lifted
1 month ago
A closed beach remains empty in Arona, one of the most touristic municipalities in Tenerife on the Canary Islands, on April 13, 2020 amid a national lockdown to stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. - The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has slowed in some of the worst-hit countries, with Spain readying to reopen parts of its economy as governments grapple with a once-in-a-century recession. (Photo by DESIREE MARTIN / AFP)
A closed beach remains empty in Arona, o […]
coronavirus, Europe's Workforce, Health, Tourism, Infographic, Video

Sun, sand and social distancing: Spain seeks tourism revival

The coronavirus crisis has dealt a devastating blow to Spain's tourism industry and forced it to look for creative ways to lure back tourists in the post-pandemic era
2 months ago