BOGOTA (Bywire News) - On Thursday, reports revealed that all across Latin America and the Caribbean, for young people aged between 18 to 26, one in every six had stopped working since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a recent investigation by a Canadian charity, named Cuso International, the risk of young people losing their job has increased within the area. The investigation was based on data sourced from both the United Nations commission and a poll by the International Labour Organization.
Alejandro Matos, the director of the advocacy group, Colombia, told , "It's extremely difficult for young people to access the labor market due to issues around specialization, lower wages, and poverty."
Over half of those who are now unemployed were in fact fired by their employer as stated by the report. While some were restricted from working by COVID-19 lockdowns, others saw their business collapse and ultimately close.
The report stated, "Feelings of sadness, fear and anxiety, as well as discouragement following the crisis prevail among young people, where a greater proportion than in other age groups say their well-being and mental health has also deteriorated."
The study found that while an increase in unemployment amongst young people disrupted the education and training sectors, the closing down of business and consequently lower wages, promoted vulnerability and the desperation for informal work.
The number of people aged 18-26 in education and/or work fell by 7.8% in the first half of 2020 alone, found the report.
The increasing rate of unemployment disproportionately impacted those aged 15-24, with a growth of 3.4%, almost double that of those aged 25+.
"Young people without access to education, training, or professional experience do not accumulate human capital and find themselves increasingly distant from the realm of decent work," said the report.
(Written by Klaudia Fior)