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Statistics Canada has shown incredible recovery after COVID-19 has taken new heights. It has shown signs that the Corona-virus lock-down caused a sharper decline. Similarly, it showed a sharper recovery than previous economic downturns. Since COVID-19 has been a cause of concern for many sectors in the Canadian economy. Ironically, it has affected the rate of employment in Canada, especially in the services sector as a trend. In parallel, it has been affecting the daily income of many people in various sectors.

A key reason being the economic activity in Canada that has been on a decline since COVID-19 reached its peak and many sectors were under lock-down in Canada. The Statistics Canada survey is a body that provides monthly information on payroll employment, earnings and hours worked in Canada. Seen as a decline by 1.8% are the figures for the total number of employees working on Payroll. On the other hand, the average weekly earnings rose to 2% to the figure of $1,139 in the month of May.

JOB LOSSES – A DECLINE IN RETAIL SECTOR:  

Rather seen on the decline side are the job losses in the Canadian region. This clearly shows the recovery that has been fast and impact-full. An increase in retail sales by 18.7% is huge in Canada. Hence, impacted by the pandemic COVID-19, the comparison & contrast is with other countries. Although, this rise in retail industry sales is below 20% as compared to what they were in the month of February? In payroll employments, seen on the higher side. Hence, there was a shift in balance seen very clearly on opposite side. Since February every month, the employment losses slowed gradually in the retail sector.

The April figure saw a loss of approximately 279,000 which is in comparison to May only about 41,800. This is primarily due to the impacts of COVID-19 being fresh. Highly affected was the real estate sector in terms of the hour. This is due to the COVID-19 measures.

Hence, the total hours worked in retail trade in the month of May rose 2.6% as compared to the month of April. The lock-down in April was on the rise. Being the major cause of shutdown in most of retail sector. The reason was due to the lock-down initiated in the month of April. Hence, it automatically laid an impact on the jobs in the retail sector. However, while we discuss the rises and declines it is important to realise that there have been variances in the retail sectors. For example, Motor Vehicle and part dealers in Canada. Furthermore, building material in construction and garden equipment supply dealers saw about a 4% increase. Similarly, while we discuss the average weekly earnings in the retail sector were about $676 in the month of May. This is a huge 10.5% as compared with the same time i.e. last year.

THE HARDEST HIT SECTORS IN CANADA:

The Canadian economy although not hurt like the economies in Europe. However, there are some sectors in the Canadian economy that has been hit hard. This is mainly because of the amount of FDI i.e. Foreign Direct Investment involved in the sector output. In the month of May, the hardest hit sector was found to be the Accommodation & Food Services sector. It showed a loss of 16.9% i.e. reflecting 116,500 jobs and was the largest payroll employment decline. This sector has continued on a downward trend since February and has seen incredibly over 770, 000 job losses. In Food services, areas, and in the drinking places are the stats related to the Food Industry. For the month of May, the weekly earnings are found to be $447.75 as stats show. Comparatively i.e. seen to be the lowest amongst all the sub-sectors in the food and beverage industry.    

In the hard-hit section in the retail industry, Canada also included the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector. A huge and very sharp decline of 557.7% from the month of Feb to May was mainly because of losses in sectors of amusement, gambling, and recreation industries. In the arts & entertainment industry in Canada, some sub-sectors were found highly affected. This is mainly due to the lock-downs and following strict compliance with safety measures. These are performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries that saw massive declines due to COVID-19. The average weekly earnings from 2019 were up by 27.3%. In contrast with 2020 i.e. $798, due to huge losses incurred by the lower-paid workers. With special attention to the lower-paid workers. In terms of the weekly earnings of employees in the hardest-hit sectors. As mega contributions sliding down, results showed on the lower side.

RECOVERY IN EMPLOYMENT SECTOR IN JUNE:

The activity in the employment sector due to COVID-19 has found to be a bit on the abnormal side as compared to 82′ recession, 92’ recession, and finally the 2008-09 recession. Talking about the initial recovery in Canadian employments was found on the sharper side. This was claimed by the Labour Force Survey Canada for June. This is in comparison to the previous economic downturns. The lock-down in Corona-virus has caused the employment to fall to 15.7 % in just a period of two months. This is vitally high as compared to the 2008-09 recession which saw a drop of just 2.5% in the period of nine months. These results if analysed in contrast to each other has shown significantly how COVID-19 has dented the Canadian economy with respect to the magnitude of job losses.

The pandemic COVID-19 that originated from Wuhan province in China initially affected the world economy drastically including the education sector. The universities started to operate remotely due to shutdowns and effects of COVID-19. Hence, affecting many things associated with academics in a globalised world. This is including seminars, conferences, lectures, practical demonstrations, sports, etc. etc. According to the reports from WHO i.e. World Health Organization, the coronavirus pandemic affected the education sector at a very fast pace. As part of the initial impacts & challenges, the number of universities has either postponed or canceled all campus events. These events included workshops, conferences, sports, and other activities.

The physical presence matters most during the academics rather than the remote learning aspects. These are matters that hold importance in terms of the ‘digital literacy’ elements in learning. The way digital literacy has transformed the education system across the world is phenomenal. However, still, there is no alternative to physical involvement or an environment where you are physically present. It helps a lot in student’s confidence levels, their practical learning developments, and interaction skills with staff and other students. Having said that, people have shown flexibility in learning. As they have introduced new dimensions of study in the form of remote learning procedures. Learning remotely through the internet & digital platforms is a common practice being part of digital literacy measures.

The globalised challenges faced due to the pandemic COVID-19 has affected the academics internationally. Listed below are a few of them:

1. Shifting from Face to Face to Online Classes:

Shifting from Face to Face to online classes is also a globalised challenge. Universities, colleges, and schools worldwide have accepted readily the challenges of remote learning. However, this has really affected the attitude of students, teachers, staff members, and other faculty members in the deliverables. Delivering thoughtful lectures in the modern education system through brainstorming of ideas. Therefore, it needs students to be present physically with mind, body, and soul. It shows the attitude and level of seriousness towards a goal.

However, online teaching is something not new in the globalised modern world. Used in distance learning effectively, online teaching is an old practice. Many faculty members in universities get their training to use online platforms. They use it either as the only delivery mode or something that’s an addition on to face-to-face teaching. The transition or movement from normal mode to the online mode has raised a number of questions. Ironically, the effective use of technology in terms of capabilities has raised many questions. Hence, a shift from face to face to online is always a challenge. More or less as not everyone possesses digital literacy even in these modern times.

2. Assessment & Evaluation:

Another huge challenge is the assessment & evaluation of the students to rate them in terms of their knowledge and deliverables. During the pandemic COVID-19, the assessment and evaluation procedures have been affected. Hence, remote procedures lack transparency & the tendency to create doubts is on a high. A doubtful eyebrow is always raised as good assessment & evaluation needs the presence of students physically in class.

According to many academic experts in the world of education. The applying of the assessments online on the courses designed from face-to-face learning is a challenging task. There are uncertainties as we discussed the procedures for the administrating outstanding assignments, projects, & other continuous assessments.

The most important thing is assessments in lab tests for science students. Lab tests, practical & performance tests are not possible to conduct online. Especially, for those students who don’t have an internet facility, the sufferings are high with respect to evaluations.

3. Travel Restrictions:

During the pandemic, heavy travel restrictions have brought an increase in globalised factors to academics. Adverse effects on education due to travel restrictions are because flights have been canceled especially international flights. This has limited the conferences that happen at least a few times in a year. Frequently in various countries on education and improving the education system globally.

Big universities, especially in the United States and Canada, have requested their staff not to travel and avoid traveling procedures. This has globally affected staff training programs as well.

4. International Students:

Students from around the globe come very often to North America especially in the USA and Canada for higher education and future prospects. The two countries are part of the globalised economies that have changed academics internationally. While there has been a decrease in this year’s intake. Hence, some students that have already arrived are having problems due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The pandemic has definitely resulted in decreasing the number of international students coming to Canada, sponsorships, bursaries, and many other aspects linked with international students & studies. Things are getting better, however, the impacts due to COVID-19 has deeply dented the economy.

5. Mental Health Issues:

The mental health & well-being of students in this global world affected by COVID-19 has been an issue of concern. The pandemic has caused many students and staff to work from home stress issues, anxiety problems & other challenges. These are because of a lack of exposure and no social interactions. For international students, the concerns relate heavily to their health and safety. Hence, students are also concerned with the health of their loved ones in their home countries. Furthermore, travel restrictions making things worse in terms of mental health.

The mental health issues and challenges are rising and universities need councilors and health practitioners in the academics sector. The critical days are on extreme because of COVID-19. The bringing of stability to the minds of people is needed through special consultants & specialists. Hence, there are many questions that arise with regard to universities. Are they taking proactive measures to support the mental health issues in students? Do universities in the world have professionally trained counselors who can understand students with mental health problems? And many other similar questions need to be asked on a globalised level.

Read the related blog: SUPPORT FOR FRESH STUDENTS & GRADS AFFECTED BY COVID-19

In the current scenario, world is dealing with human impacts. Furthermore, the impacts on many different businesses that have been evident globally. The financial concerns and job concerns are one of the first human impacts of the virus. Hence, as the businesses close for the prevention of pandemic COVID-19 and its invariable impacts. The lockdown in many countries has been the cause of an increase in people’s stress levels. The economic impacts are on a larger scale, on a national and international level. It has affected global tourism, travel, hospitality, economic activity, and SME activity to a huge extent. According to the domino effect, all this affects the least well paid. Highly interlinked are all the entities in the economic life cycle of a country. Comparatively, it’s just like a bomb being a cause of huge destructions & human losses.

HUMAN CONSEQUENCES:

As humans all over the world have been facing casualties and devastations due to pandemics and epidemics in the past. Hence, what precautionary measures to adopt in such situations than they were before in the times of earlier pandemics. HIV or AIDS is an example, originated from West Africa, from Chimpanzees. It was termed as the most dangerous diseases that have been transferable sexually or through physical contact in humans. The pandemic was in literal terms incurable and it still is 97%. However, there has been a global awareness through media and campaigns to let people know about AIDS. Awareness campaigns with slogans like, “Have Safe Physical contact”, or “Be Safe in Physical Contact”. All these have been highly critical in people’s knowledge awareness regards to pandemic AIDS.

Talking in terms of COVID-19 human consequences, have related to industries such as manufacturing, tourism, hospitality, and travel. The last three are interlinked, as the tourism industry has directly impacted the hospitality industry and travel. People are facing the psychological impacts of COVID-19. This is largely for sports stars & people who love socializing and exercise regularly in Gym and people who can’t live without their friends or have a significant social life. We have also witnessed the loss of events and cancellations e.g. Tokyo Olympics and Wimbledon Championship. It was during World War II that Wimbledon was canceled.

THE EFFECTS ON DEVELOPING NATIONS:

There are some Welfare states including Canada that have announced economic measures. The purpose is for the safeguarding of jobs, guarantee of wages, and support for the self-employed. These are countries especially from the developing world and those who have a huge population living below the poverty line. Hence people earn money on a daily wage pattern. These are the ones most affected as there is no such guarantee of funds. Hence, a huge test of the human race lies ahead when the restoration of losses comes into play.

At the same time, it’s important to know the psychological effects. As the ‘Fear of the Unknown’ can make a person’s mindset negative. Fear of the unknown can often lead to panic situations. Hence, the main reason behind the psychological effects especially in the developing nations. Ironically arises from the fear of not controlling the situation. Hence, or a sense of lack of control in the face of uncertainty.

MANDATORY ACTIONS FROM BUSINESS COMMUNITIES:

Anywhere in the world, health measures must be the first and foremost priority for the Govt. Businesses and societies. The society’s self-awareness measures hold supreme impacts for a changing situation. The action of a single human can turn into the action of the whole society with collective measures. In addition to solidarity, working together for the protection of staff, local communities, and the customers. They must also make sure the operations stay active i.e. keeping supply chains, manufacturing, and logistics working. Hence, the power of the internet in this regard is huge.

Daily updates on the company’s website with useful inputs from the scientists and experts are highly recommended. This is a requirement for the general awareness of staff and regular and prospective customers. This is particularly important for large companies as their production levels are higher in comparison to smaller companies. Therefore, constant messages from CEOs and higher management or directors are important. These messages will definitely bring people closer in terms of recovery procedures and mutual efforts. Coming up with new ideas of how businesses can play their role in fighting this cancer. The key is to make people realize to a larger extent. The realizations should be that we need to take a step against COVID-19 before it comes to us.