COVID-19 Crisis and the Informal Economy: Informal Workers in Delhi, India

Abstract

COVID-19 Crisis and the Informal Economy is a WIEGO-led 12-city longitudinal study that assesses the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on specific groups of informal workers and their households. Using a survey questionnaire and in-depth interviews, Round 1 assessed the impact of the crisis in April 2020 (the period of peak restrictions in most cities) and in June/July 2020 (when restrictions had been eased in most cities) in comparison to February 2020 (pre-COVID-19). Round 2 will assess continuing impacts versus signs of recovery in the first half of 2021, compared to the pre-COVID-19 period and Round 1. This report presents the summary findings of Round 1 of the study in Delhi, India. Researchers in Delhi surveyed 270 informal workers in four sectors: home-based workers, waste pickers, street vendors and domestic workers. This study was carried out in partnership with: SEWA Delhi, Janpahal, and the Delhi Roundtable on Solid Waste Management.