Impact of COVID-19 on Labour Rights and Working Conditions in Four Selected Sectors

Abstract

This paper examines the labour rights and working conditions, defined as wage, employment conditions, safety, and security of workers, of formal and informal economic sectors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. By looking at four specific cases—road transport, ready-made garments (RMG), beauty parlour, and street vending—this paper presents the existing condition of labour rights, how the pandemic has aggravated such conditions, and how well the existing research—academic, policy reports, and media reports—has reflected on the situation. Primary data collection methods included focus group discussions (FGDs) with the workers employed in specific sectors and key informant interviews (KIIs) with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), policymakers, and trade union activists. Secondary data broadly included national and international policy reports, academic journals, laws, acts and regulations, survey reports, media reports, newspaper articles, and relevant grey literature.