We analyze matched employee-employer data from Ethiopia’s largest special economic zone during a period of downsizing pressure from the COVID-19 world import demand shock. We observe substantial job displacement during the shock peak, particularly for new hires. These largely female and rural-to-urban migrants persistently “fall off the employment ladder,” remaining unemployed both within and outside the zone even after employers have recovered from the shock. We observe high levels of urbancentered food insecurity and depression symptoms during the crisis peak, regardless of employment status. Our findings highlight the importance of social protection policies within export-oriented development strategies.
The Impact of Firm Downsizing on Workers: Evidence from Ethiopia’s Ready-Made Garment Industry
23 June 2022
Key Authors
Other Recent Journal Article / Working Papers
Oral History: Embedding lived experience into mind brain health

Deep learning and single-cell phenotyping for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility detection in Escherichia coli

The effect of immunomodulatory drugs on aortic stenosis: a Mendelian randomisation analysis
Nature-based solutions are critical for putting Brazil on track towards net-zero emissions by 2050

To share or not to share? The impact of mobile network sharing for consumers and operators

Flagship individuals in biodiversity conservation