The Triple Crisis: Impact of COVID-19 on Informal Workers’ Care Responsibilities, Paid Work and Earnings

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic can be understood as a triple crisis. At its origin it is a public health crisis and government responses to contain the virus through lockdowns, border closures and social distancing have led to an inevitable economic crisis. Along with closing creches and schools, these measures contributed to a care crisis. With entire families stuck at home during the lockdown periods of 2020, more time was spent cooking, cleaning and caring for household members. As lockdown measures eased but schools and creches remained closed, informal workers struggled with home-schooling and caring for their young children. This has slowed down their return to work and significantly reduced their earnings. Moreover, not only are informal workers more likely to lose their incomes, they may be at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 due to occupational health and safety risks at work and having less access to basic infrastructure both at home and in the workplace