The International Labour Congress says almost 25 million jobs could be lost worldwide as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the finding was according to a new assessment by the ILO.

He said, “An initial assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the global world of work says the effects will be far-reaching, pushing millions of people into unemployment, underemployment and working poverty, and proposes measures for a decisive, coordinated and immediate response.

“The economic and labour crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic could increase global unemployment by almost 25 million

“However, if we see an internationally coordinated policy response, as happened in the global financial crisis of 2008 and 2009, then the impact on global unemployment could be significantly lower.”

He noted that the organisation are protecting workers in the workplace, stimulating the economy and employment, and supporting jobs and incomes.

“These measures include extending social protection, supporting employment retention such as short-time work, paid leave, other subsidies and financial and tax relief, including for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

“In addition, the note proposes fiscal and monetary policy measures, and lending and financial support for specific economic sectors.”

Ryder also said the ILO estimated that between 8.8 and 35 million additional people would be in working poverty worldwide, compared to the original estimate for 2020, which projected a decline of 14 million worldwide.

According to him, there must be swift and coordinated policy responses to the issue.

“This is no longer only a global health crisis, it is also a major labour market and economic crisis that is having a huge impact on people.

“In 2008, the world presented a united front to address the consequences of the global financial crisis, and the worst was averted. We need that kind of leadership and resolve now.

“This is no longer only a global health crisis, it is also a major labour market and economic crisis that is having a huge impact on people.”

He said the ILO note warns that certain groups will be disproportionately affected by the jobs crisis, which could increase inequality.

He added that these include people in less protected and low-paid jobs, particularly youth and older workers. Women and migrants too.

“The latter is vulnerable due to the lack of social protection and rights, and women tend to be over-represented in low-paid jobs and affected sectors.

“In times of crisis like the current one, we have two key tools that can help mitigate the damage and restore public confidence.

“Firstly, social dialogue, engaging with workers and employers and their representatives, is vital for building public trust and support for the measures that we need to overcome this crisis.

“Secondly, international labour standards provide a tried-and-trusted foundation for policy responses that focus on a recovery that is sustainable and equitable.

“Everything needs to be done to minimise the damage to people at this difficult time.”

African countries on Wednesday confirmed 644 cases of coronavirus, 17 deaths and 65 recoveries according to Worldometer

Nigeria

Nigeria confirmed five new cases that are independent of the previous three cases.

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said that all five cases had a travel history to the UK and U.S.

In response to the increase in the spread of the virus, the Lagos State Government said on Wednesday that it may “advise religious leaders in the state to stop Friday and Sunday services as part of the measures to curb the spread of the virus.”

Mr Ehanire also said the detailed travel history of the newly confirmed cases is being compiled to enable the government to trace people that might have come in contact with them.

The youngest patient is a 6-week-old baby.

Nigeria also announced travel restrictions from 13 high-risk countries: China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, USA, UK, Netherlands and Switzerland.

The restrictions will take effect on March 31.

On Tuesday, Nigeria banned foreign travels for all public officials. They are only allowed to travel for essential trips.

Egypt

The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, on Wednesday, announced on its Facebook page 14 new positive cases.

The new cases are two foreigners and 12 Egyptians, who had all come in contact with earlier positive cases.

Advisor of the Minister of Health and Population for Media Affairs, Khaled Majahid stated that “the total number that was registered in Egypt with the new Coronavirus until today, Wednesday, 210 cases, including 28 cases that have been cured and discharged from the isolation hospital, and 6 deaths.”

The Egyptian Health Ministry also said that they “continue to raise preparations at all ports of the country, follow the situation firsthand and take all necessary preventive measures against any viruses or infectious diseases.”

Egypt has the highest number of cases on the continent.

South Africa

The official South African News Agency confirmed through a tweet that the country had 31 new cases. Of the 31, six cases were that of local transmission.

Their ages range from 2-69 according to a report written by South African Minister of Health, Zwelini Mkhize.

He said, “Today we have a further increase of 6 local transmission cases. As part of tracking and tracing, we have collated background information on how these patients were infected.”

“We will provide information to the public, so as to give a sense of how these local transmission work. We will however not disclose full details as this information is subject to patient confidentiality which we are bound by.”

Confirmed cases in Africa

Below are the countries with confirmed cases in Africa and their total number of cases according to Wordometer on March 18

Algeria 75; 7 deaths; 32 recoveries

Benin 2

Burkina Faso 20; 1 death

Cameroon 13

Central African Republic 1

Republic of Congo 1

Ivory Coast 9; 1 death

The Democratic Republic of the Congo 7

Egypt 210; 6 deaths; 28 recoveries

Equatorial Guinea 4

Swaziland 1

Ethiopia 6

Gabon 3

Ghana 7

Guinea 1

Kenya 7

Liberia 2

Morocco 54; 2 deaths; 1 recovery

Mauritania 3

Mauritius 3

Namibia 2

Nigeria 8; 1 recovery

Rwanda 11

Sudan 2

Senegal 36; 2 recoveries

Somalia 1

Seychelles 6

Tunisia 29; 1 recovery

Tanzania 3

Togo 1

South Africa 116

Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Rwanda, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Seychelles, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Sudan, Mauritania, Tanzania, and DRC have each recorded at least one new case of the COVID-19 virus.

Burkina Faso is the first sub-Saharan country in the continent to confirm a death.

The second vice president of the Burkinabé Parliament and co-founder of the opposition Union for Progress and Change (UPC), Marie Rose Compaoré/ Konditamdé passed away Tuesday night after testing positive for the virus.

She suffered from diabetes and was under intensive care.

Two US lawmakers including a Florida representative on Wednesday became the first members of Congress to announce they have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart’s office said in a statement that “just a short while ago, he was notified that he has tested positive for COVID-19.”

The Republican who represents part of Miami follows that city’s Mayor Francis Suarez, who announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus last week.

They are following CDC-specified self-isolation guidelines at their homes.

Diaz-Balart’s diagnosis prompted a member of congressional leadership, the number two Republican Steve Scalise, to immediately self-quarantine as he had an extended meeting with his colleague last week.

“Fortunately, I am not experiencing any symptoms and will continue working remotely on Congress’s Coronavirus response” and remain in close contact with Trump administration officials to ensure that swift action to address the crisis continues, Scalise said in a statement.

In the western state of Utah, Democrat Ben McAdams became the second congressman to announce he tested positive.

After developing a mild cold Saturday evening when he returned from Washington, “my symptoms got worse and I developed a fever, a dry cough, laboured breathing and I remained self-quarantined,” McAdams said.

He was tested Tuesday, received a positive diagnosis Wednesday, and remains in isolation at home, he said.

The attending physician of the US Congress said in a statement released by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that Diaz-Balart and McAdams “are ill, but in good condition.”

They are following self-isolation guidelines set forth by US health officials, he added.

Diaz-Balart said that he had entered into quarantine and was working from his Washington apartment.

“I want everyone to know that I am feeling much better,” he said.

“However, it is important that everyone take this extremely seriously and follow CDC guidelines in order to avoid getting sick and mitigate the spread of this virus.”

Several US lawmakers have self-quarantined after coming in contact with a man who attended a conservative conference near Washington shortly before he tested positive for coronavirus.

The United States so far has more than 9,300 cases and 150 deaths, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker.