INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 epidemic has claimed many lives around the world, posing an

unprecedented threat to public health, food systems, and the workplace. The pandemic’s economic and
social effects are devastating: tens of millions of people are at risk of falling into extreme poverty, and
the number of people who are undernourished, which is presently estimated to be around 690 million,
might climb to 132 million by the end of the year. Millions of firms are on the verge of going out of
business. Almost half of the world’s 3.3 billion workers are facing job losses. The bulk of workers in the
informal economy lack social security, access to excellent health care, and productive assets, making
them particularly vulnerable. Because they lack the means to earn a living, many people are unable to
feed themselves and their family during lockdowns. For the majority of people, no income equals no
food, or at the very least, less healthy meals. The pandemic has wrecked havoc on the food system as a
whole, revealing its vulnerability. Border closures, trade restrictions, and confinement measures have
made it difficult for farmers and agricultural workers to access markets, including to buy inputs and sell
their produce, disrupting domestic and international food supply chains and limiting access to healthy,
safe, and diverse diets. The pandemic has wiped out jobs and placed the livelihoods of millions of people
in peril. Millions of women and men’s food security and nutrition are compromised as breadwinners
lose their jobs, become ill, or die, with those in low-income nations, particularly the most marginalized
populations, such as small-scale farmers and indigenous peoples, suffering the brunt of the burden.

While feeding the world, millions of salaried and self-employed employees confront high levels of
working poverty, hunger, and bad health, as well as a lack of safety and labor protection, as well as
various forms of abuse. Because of poor and irregular salaries and a lack of social support, many people
are forced to continue working, frequently in dangerous situations, putting themselves and their families
at risk. When faced with a loss of income, they may turn to negative coping techniques including
distressed asset sales, predatory lending, or child labor. Migrant agricultural laborers are especially
vulnerable because they suffer dangers in their transportation, working, and living situations, as well as
a lack of access to government aid. Providing greater pay and protection for all agri-food workers, from
primary producers to those involved in food processing, transportation, and retail, including street food
sellers, will be crucial to saving lives and maintaining public health, livelihoods, and food security.

The COVID-19 situation intersects food security, public health, and employment and labor issues,
particularly worker health and safety. In order to address the crisis’s human dimension, it will be
important to adhere to workplace safety and health norms, as well as to ensure access to decent work
and the protection of labor rights across all industries. Expanding social security to encompass universal
health coverage and income support for the most disadvantaged should be among the first and most
focused actions taken to save lives and livelihoods. Youth, senior employees, and migrants are among
the informal economy’s workers, as well as those in poorly protected and low-paying positions. Women
must be given special consideration because they are over-represented in low-wage jobs and caregiving
roles. Cash transfers, child allowances, and nutritious school lunches, as well as shelter and food
assistance, employment retention and recovery assistance, and financial relief for businesses, including
micro, small, and medium-sized firms, are all vital. When establishing and implementing such policies, it
is vital that governments engage closely with employers and workers. COVID-19 will have a particularly
negative impact on countries who are currently dealing with humanitarian crises or emergencies. It’s
vital to respond rapidly to the pandemic while also making sure that humanitarian and rehabilitation aid
reaches those who need it the most. Now is the time for global solidarity and assistance, especially for
the world’s most vulnerable citizens, especially those in developing and rising economies. Only by
working together will we be able to overcome the pandemic’s interconnected health, social, and
economic effects and prevent it from growing into a long-term humanitarian and food security crisis,
wiping out previously earned development gains. We must reimagine the future of our environment and
act quickly to combat climate change and environmental deterioration. Only then will we be able to
protect everyone’s health, livelihoods, food security, and nutrition, as well as ensure that our “new
normal” is better.