Independent Opinion of CEDAW assessed data on women from disadvantaged groups.6 7. To respond to the impact of COVID-19 on employment, the Government has provided partial subsidies to cover the difference in wages of workers who take breaks from work, and for manufacturing and technical service industries. However, it has not conducted gender impact assessment and therefore launched no measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on women in disadvantaged situations amidst the accelerating trend of digital transformation of industries in the pandemic. Recommendation 1 The government should refer to the Guidance Note on CEDAW and COVID-19 published by the UN CEDAW Committee. 7 Measures taken to respond to the pandemic should be gender sensitive. The government should pay attention in particular to the multiple challenges faced by women from disadvantaged groups period in 2019. In 2020, 72.3% of female workers were in the service industry and more women than men saw their working hours cut (2,369 women and 1,969 men from January to April, 2020; 17,654 women and 15,638 men from May to August of the same year). (2) In April 2020, the Relief and Immediate Hire Program was launched to grant work allowances to workers affected by COVID-19. 67% and 66% of applicants were women in 2020 and 2021 respectively. (3) Compared to January to April of 2021, the unemployment rate during May to August increased by 0.91% for women and 0.62% for men. From January to April 2021, 11,330 male and 14,310 female workers received initial unemployment benefit payments; from May to August of the same year, 14,054 male and 17,324 female workers received benefit payments. 6 Guidance Note on CEDAW and COVID-19
https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/ Documents/HRBodies/CEDAW/Statements/CEDAW_Guidance_note_COVID-19.docx 7 Factors such as social framework, responsibilities as a mother, age, class, ethnicity, and disabilities. ¯8¯