Economics
Oxfam Says IMF Loans Force Spending Cuts That Exacerbate Poverty
- More than 80% of virus loans seek cuts by nations, group says
- Belt tigthtening would hurt millions of people, charity says
Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg
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The vast majority of International Monetary Fund loans extended during the Covid-19 pandemic have suggested or demanded spending cuts that would worsen poverty and inequality, charity group Oxfam says.
Seventy-six of the fund’s 91 loans since March have sought belt tightening, according to Oxfam. The result could be deep cuts to public healthcare and pensions; wage freezes and cuts for workers such as doctors and teachers; and reduced unemployment benefits like sick pay, the group said Monday.