By Feng Wenmeng & Ge Yanfeng, Research Department of Social Development; Gan Li & He Qing, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics

Research Report, No.274, 2020 (Total 6018) 2020-11-18

Abstract: With the aim of getting an accurate knowledge of the impact of COVID-19 epidemic on social employment, the Department of Social Development of DRC, together with Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, conducted three tracing surveys in 29 provinces except Tibet and Xinjiang respectively from February to March, in May, and from August to September in 2020. Survey findings show that China’s overall employment performance is stable and is making sound progress with work resumption and production recovery, whereas the impact on the employment and income of certain social groups remains stern. In light of the issues mentioned above, this paper proposes the following policy options. 1. The impact of special events such as epidemic on certain social groups needs to be carefully viewed and treated. 2. Targeted measures need to be taken to improve employment supporting policies and motivate enterprises to offer employment opportunities and social assistance for employees. 3. Social protection needs to be in place for certain social groups in specific periods of time.

Keywords: employment, vulnerable social groups, impact of epidemic