Increased mobility and the reopening of borders boosted economic growth throughout Southeast Asia, which is forecast to grow 5.1% in 2022 and 5.0% in 2023, faster than developing Asia. Unemployment rates have improved as economic activities picked up in the first half of 2022 but remained above pre-pandemic levels. However, jobs are threatened by global headwinds such as energy and food supply disruptions, aggressive tightening by the US Federal Reserve and other central banks, and other supply chain disruptions from mobility restrictions to contain a resurgence in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. Weaker demand for manufactured goods from Southeast Asia may lead to additional job losses as firms deal with higher costs of production and capital. Climate change is also expected to have significant impacts on labor markets.

This webinar from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) examined the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the emerging trends in Southeast Asia's labor markets, particularly for women and the youth, and what needs to be done to ensure a resilient and inclusive workforce in a post-COVID-19 world.

The webinar was organized by ADB's Southeast Asia Department (SERD) as part of its SERD Policy Talk (SPOT) webinar series. The series features conversations on new ideas and developments beyond office walls. It aims to inspire people to explore issues outside their normal area of work. It also encourages active interaction and debate among participants from varied perspectives and approaches. 

SPOT is a regular event of the ASEAN Policy Network, an initiative under SERD to bring together economists from across the bank to produce knowledge products to help governments in the region come up with policies to support economic growth and address pressing development challenges.

Speakers

• Fook Yen Chong, Senior Social Sector Specialist (Skills Development), Southeast Asia Department, ADB
• Johannes Emmerling, Senior Researcher, RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment
• Callista Ng, Director, People Advisory Services, Ernst & Young
• Keiko Nowacka, Senior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development), Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, ADB
• Christian Viegelahn, Senior Economist, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, International Labour Organization 
• Moderator: Emma Allen, Senior Country Economist, Lao People's Democratic Republic Resident Mission, ADB