The coronavirus pandemic is affecting Germany’s workforce, with over three million people across the country expected to be out of work this summer, reports The Local Germany, citing data from the German Federal Employment Agency and the Institute for Labor Market and Occupational Research. The country’s economy is suffering after public life was shut down in March in a bid to stall the spread of Covid-19 which is increasingly having an impact on the labour market. Germany has put together various packages in a bid to support people through the crisis and keep people in work. But some businesses are struggling to survive. Detlef Scheele, Chairman of the Federal Employment Agency, said that the coronavirus crisis is hitting temporary employees and workers particularly hard. Youth unemployment is also on the rise and women have also seen a negative impact due to earning less but working more during the pandemic.
“In order for the unemployment rate to fall again in autumn, the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions in the gastronomy and travel industry would have to take effect now, world trade would have to get going and the government’s economic stimulus package would have to be “ignited”,” Scheele said.