900,000 new unemployed during first 3 months of Covid crisis – Recovery Plan needed now

Eurostat figures published today show 253,000 workers lost their jobs in May, which follows losses of 397,000 jobs in April and 241,000 in March. It takes the total number of unemployed to 14.3 million.

Commenting on the figures, ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini said:

“New figures showing there are now 14.3 million unemployed people in the EU give national leaders 14 million, 300,000 reasons to adopt the jobs-saving Recovery Plan when they meet on July 17.

“On top of that, there are another 42 million people suspended from work due to Covid restrictions who are at serious risk of becoming permanently unemployed. The EU Recovery Plan must be adopted fast.”