The COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons on building more equal and sustainable societies

Kristin Van Barneveld,Anis Chowdhury,Michael Quinlan,Stephen Clibborn,Chris F Wright,Peter Kriesler,Anne Junor,Frances Flanagan,Fran Baum,Joseph Halevi,Pn (Raja) Junankar,Sharon Friel,Al Rainnie

doi:10.1177/1035304620927107

Abstract

AbstractThis discussion paper by a group of scholars across the fields of health, economics and labour relations argues that COVID-19 is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis from which there can be no return to the ‘old normal’. The pandemic’s disastrous worldwide health impacts have been exacerbated by, and have compounded, the unsustainability of economic globalisation based on the neoliberal dismantling of state capabilities in favour of markets. Flow-on economic impacts have simultaneously created major supply and demand disruptions, and highlighted the growing within-country inequalities and precarity generated by neoliberal regimes of labour market regulation. Taking an Australian and international perspective, we examine these economic and labour market impacts, paying particular attention to differential impacts on First Nations people, developing countries, women, immigrants and young people. Evaluating policy responses in a political climate of national and international leadership very different from those in which major twentieth century crises were addressed, we argue the need for a national and international conversation to develop a new pathway out of crisis.

Highlights

Thirty years ago the Economic and Labour Relations Review (ELRR) was launched to bring the fields of economics and industrial relations together and to promote research with a strong public policy and social equity focus
A theme since has been the unsustainability of neoliberalism as a political and economic regime, and its adverse effects on community, economic security, health and wellbeing – all linked to systematic dismantling of state capabilities in favour of markets
It is highly likely that many responses to the pandemic will lead to considerable mental health issues including those from post-traumatic stress for health workers, the impacts of social isolation and the fall-out from the stalling of economies and rising unemployment (Friel and Demaio, 2020)

Summary

Introduction

Thirty years ago the Economic and Labour Relations Review (ELRR) was launched to bring the fields of economics and industrial relations together and to promote research with a strong public policy and social equity focus. Keywords Coronavirus, COVID-19, economic development, environmental sustainability, First Nations, gender, health equity, migration, neoliberalism, pandemic, public health, public housing, recession, supply chains, welfare payments, youth

Results

Conclusion