COVID-19 Informer: UN agency says half world's workers may see livelihood destroyed

The International Labour Organisation's says the livelihoods of 1.6 billion informal workers are threatened by the virus.

Total hours worked are expected to be 10.5% lower than before the crisis began. That is equivalent to 305 million full time jobs.

The report's emphasis on informal workers reflects the fact that they are especially vulnerable. There is a high level of poverty in the group, they have little legal protection and the work is often insecure.

Meanwhile entrepreneur Elon Musk has made the most of his sizeable social media audience to push for reopening the US economy.

"Give people their freedom back!" the the chief of electric carmaker Tesla said on Twitter, linking to an opinion piece that argued the shutdowns are not saving lives.

"Bravo Texas!" said another tweet that linked to a report that the US state was going to let some businesses, like restaurants, reopen this weekend.

His most recent tweet "FREE AMERICA NOW," prompted another wave of online "discussion" and drawn backlash from doctors, tech workers, Musk fans, and even Joan Grande, the mother of pop star Ariana Grande.

On Tuesday, CNBC reported Tesla had scrapped its plans to allow workers to return to its plant in California after local officials extended orders that limit Tesla's ability to resume full operations.

The majority of US states are still under some sort of lockdown although some have begun easing restrictions - including Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee. It's estimated about 85% of the US population is still being asked to stay at home.

Meanwhile Boeing says it plans to cut about 10 per cent of its entire workforce.

The aircraft maker said it would shed about 1 in 10 positions through a combination of buyouts, layoffs and the elimination of unfilled roles.

At the end of 2019, the company had about 161,000 positions. The news was announced in a letter to employees.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, Swedish authorities have come up with a way of deterring people from breaking social distancing rules as one of its most famous holidays approaches.

Walpurgis Eve on April 30 is marked with large bonfires in public parks but now crowds of more than 50 people are banned.

Lund, a university city, usually hosts a big events but has a novel way to dissuade people from gathering at the park - authorities have spread chicken manure.

"Sitting in a park that stinks of chicken manure is not a pleasant experience," municipal chairperson Philip Sandberg said.

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