Jobs & Employment

E-commerce sellers face rising costs from every direction: shipping from Asia is rerouting around Africa (adding 2-3 weeks), packaging materials are up with oil prices, and warehouse energy costs are climbing. Third-party Amazon sellers are already raising prices. Small sellers with thin margins are most at risk.

Steel, copper, aluminum, and cement are all facing price surges. The Gulf produces 9% of global primary aluminum, and Hormuz blockade threatens supply. Copper is heavily used in construction (42% of U.S. copper goes to building), and sulfur supply disruptions could slow copper production. Developers may delay or cancel projects as margins shrink.

Food trucks and small food businesses are being squeezed from every direction: gas prices up 17% since the war started (from $2.98 to $3.48/gallon), food ingredient costs rising at every stage of the supply chain, and cooking fuel (propane/LPG) prices surging. One meal delivery owner said: 'I'm simply not making any money.'

Gig workers are being squeezed hardest. Gas prices are up 17-20% since the war started and diesel is up 35%, but platforms haven't added fuel surcharges. Many drivers report barely breaking even on short rides and deliveries.

Landscapers are getting hit hard by the gas price surge -- most equipment runs on gasoline and crews drive trucks between jobs all day. Diesel is up 28%, regular gas up 17%. Fertilizer prices are up 25%+ as the Strait of Hormuz blocks 49% of global urea exports. Some landscapers report fuel now eating 30-40% of revenue.

Over 46,000 flights have been canceled since the war began, with Middle East airspace closures grounding major carriers like Emirates. Jet fuel surged 60% from $2.11 to $3.40/gallon. Airlines face massive losses, potential layoffs, and route restructuring. Pilots on Middle East routes have been reassigned or furloughed.

1 in 4 U.S. consumers are delaying or canceling major purchases due to the war. Mortgage rates jumped to 6.11%, the largest weekly gain since April 2025. The spring homebuying season outlook has become cloudier, though existing home sales rose in February and purchase applications remain positive year over year.

Restaurants face a triple cost squeeze: food ingredient prices up, energy costs surging, and delivery fuel surcharges rising. In India, 10,000 restaurants are shutting down from LPG shortages. US restaurants expect menu prices to jump 5-10% in coming weeks.

Small businesses face a triple hit: energy costs up 20-35%, supply chain delays of 2-3 weeks, and air freight costs spiking 400% in some cases. Nearly two-thirds of companies expect revenue losses. Restaurants, retailers, and import-dependent businesses are hardest hit.

No one can predict the war's duration. President Trump has vowed to end it soon, but analysts warn it could last weeks to months. Even after fighting stops, economic effects typically take 3-6 months to fully unwind.

The risk is growing. The US already lost 92,000 jobs in February with unemployment rising to 4.4%. Economists warn of a 'doom loop' where higher gas prices reduce consumer spending, forcing layoffs.

Delivery drivers are hit on multiple fronts. Gas prices have jumped 20% since the war started, directly eating into driver earnings since most platforms don't fully reimburse fuel costs. At the same time, consumers are cutting back on delivery orders as they tighten budgets, meaning fewer available orders. The silver lining: some platforms have introduced temporary fuel surcharges, and drivers who switch to EVs or hybrids may actually see increased demand as competitors drop out.

Freelancers face a double squeeze: rising costs for gas, food, and supplies with no employer to absorb the hit, plus clients cutting budgets as the economy slows. A South Carolina chef running a meal delivery service says he's 'working just as hard as ever, but losing ground.'

Home renovation costs are rising fast. Steel prices are up as energy costs surge, copper (42% used in U.S. construction) faces supply disruption from sulfur shortages, and aluminum costs are climbing since the Gulf produces 9% of global primary aluminum. Lumber transport costs are increasing with diesel at $4.86/gallon. Contractors may raise labor rates to cover their own fuel costs. If you're planning a renovation, lock in material prices now and consider phasing the project to spread costs.

Healthcare workers face medical supply disruptions, cyberattacks on hospital systems, and potential shortages of surgical devices. A pro-Iran hacktivist group attacked Stryker, a major U.S. medical device maker, wiping global systems. Most U.S. pharmaceutical supply routes don't transit the Strait of Hormuz, but energy costs for hospitals are rising.

Remote workers face mixed impacts. On the positive side, you avoid commuting costs as gas prices surge 20%+. However, home energy bills are rising (electricity and natural gas prices up 3-8%), and you're bearing those costs during work hours. Internet service providers may raise rates. Digital nomads abroad face higher travel costs and potential safety concerns in some regions. The good news: remote work demand is increasing as more companies offer it to help employees cope with commuting costs, potentially creating new opportunities.

Schools face higher energy bills, rising food costs for cafeterias, and increasing transportation costs for buses. Teachers on fixed salaries are squeezed by inflation. Schools may need to cut programs or raise fees. The war is also creating new classroom challenges around student anxiety.

Possible but not certain. If oil stays above $100/barrel for months, inflation will rise and consumer spending will drop. Most economists put recession odds at 30-40%.

Gyms face higher electricity costs for lighting, HVAC, and equipment, plus rising costs for rubber mats, plastic equipment, and supplements shipped from overseas. Members may cancel as household budgets tighten. Supplement prices could rise 5-15% due to shipping cost increases.