16  - 10 labor force participation is primarily explained by illness or disability and existed long before the onset of COVID. There is no magic wand that will draw workers back into the labor force, especially when generous government benefits programs are provided for those who are capable of working.
But as challenging as these issues are to address, there are some lessons to draw from experience and research regarding approaches that encourage people to work. Research suggests that assistance programs including job search assistance, training programs, and private-sector employment subsidies increase the likelihood of employment by up to 10 percent for those who utilize the programs.