2021 was gone with a grey picture of the globe.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues through 2021, it has caused more than 276.61 million infections and more than 5.38 million deaths worldwide (as of 22 December 2021). In Asia, there have been more than 83.8 million positive cases and more than 1.24 million deaths (worldometers). In the past year (from December 2020 to December 2021), the number of positive cases and deaths has doubled worldwide and tripled in Asia. Now, the pandemic has only become more serious, with the Omicron variant rapidly spreading.
In this situation, we have heard people’s concerns around the world and in Asia specifically. Many of these concerns have focused on their livelihoods and the need for social protection to secure a basic income and health care for workers and their families.
You will find here in the AROSP Newsletter December 2021 Edition, information about these concerns in the form of several webinars jointly organized by civil society organisations around the region and globe, including Asia Roundtable for Social Protection (AROSP) South Asia, AROSP Southeast Asia, ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ ASEAN People Forum (ACSC/ APF), Asia Europe People’s Forum (AEPF) and some research by AROSP members in Hong Kong and Viet Nam. You will find grassroots information about the impacts of COVID-19 on workers’ livelihood and family income, their responses to address the difficulties they have faced under the pandemic and their solidarity in mutual support and empowerment. You will also find how people worry about their health and working conditions, and what people want to say about social protection and Government responsibility.
Enjoy reading!