Research Update Note on the 2019 Gender-sensitive Labor Market Assessment in Istanbul

The social, economic, and political consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic have brought about profound change at both the macro- and microeconomic levels. Inequality has deepened and poverty has been experienced in an almost brutal manner, especially by disadvantaged groups who were already economically vulnerable even before the pandemic. Based on such unexpected and deep economic changes brought about by the pandemic, Save the Children Turkey decided to update the 2019 Gender-Sensitive Labor Market Assessment for Istanbul.

The aim of this research note is to re-visit the findings of the 2019 Labor Market Assessment and re-analyze as well as update the following under the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic:

• (i) the leading sectors in terms of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities during the COVID-19 period for economically vulnerable young people in Istanbul.
• (ii) skills expected from employees by the employers in these sectors.
• (iii) promising job opportunities for the Syrian youth living in Istanbul.
• (iv) Circumstances of women and men from a gender perspective in accessing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Access of Syrian and vulnerable host community youth to the labor market and business opportunities in Istanbul was re-examined in light of the shifts generated by the pandemic. This updated study was conducted between February-April 2021.