Washington (TIP): More than a year into the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of American remain jobless, but even as the economy reopens some employers are finding hiring an unexpected challenge. From fears of being infected with the coronavirus to trouble finding childcare to the lure of generous unemployment benefits, some jobless Americans are holding off on re-entering the workforce. “It’s a paradox for the Covid crisis,” said Gregory Daco, chief US economist at Oxford Economics. “We have, and risk having over the coming months, an imbalance between job openings and demand.”

The US economy has begun to recover as Covid-19 vaccines allow businesses to return to normal, and companies are starting to recruit to meet growing demand.

But not all unemployed workers are ready to return to their jobs, analysts say.

“The main issue is we still have a pandemic, and there is huge concern among job seekers about workplace health and safety,” said Julia Pollak, an economist for job search website ZipRecruiter.         Source: AFP