COVID-19 Crisis and the Informal Economy: Informal Workers in Pleven, Bulgaria

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) and in May/June 2020 (when restrictions had been eased) 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 Pleven, Bulgaria. Researchers in Pleven surveyed home-based workers, street vendors, and domestic workers who are members of the Bulgarian Trade Union of Self-employed and Informal Workers (UNITY). They also interviewed six informal-worker leaders and two key informants from government and civil society.

This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of IDRC or its Board of Governors.