Eurostat unemployment figures published
today show EU job losses increased again in December after two months of relative stability. Overall, unemployment – at 16 million across the EU – is up by 2 million compared to the previous year.
December 2019: 14 million
September 2020: 16.4 million
October 2020: 16.2 million
November: 15.9 million
December 2020: 16 million
Responding to the latest figures, ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini said:
“Today’s figures show that the second wave of Covid-19 contaminations and the lockdown measures needed to deal with them are causing a second wave of job losses.
“The EU can vaccinate against rising unemployment by prolonging job and wage protection schemes through 2021 and extending them to all workers including the self-employed. Public investment in the economy is also needed more than ever before.
“At the same time vaccination of workers should be a priority to help to revive the economy as well as tackle the pandemic.
“This is a crucial moment. Member states must soon receive major financial support through the EU Recovery Fund and we cannot allow jobs to be lost for good in the coming months.”
