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COVID‐19 and informal work: Evidence from 11 cities

Author

Listed:
  • Martha Alter CHEN
  • Erofili GRAPSA
  • Ghida ISMAIL
  • Michael ROGAN
  • Marcela VALDIVIA
  • Laura ALFERS
  • Jenna HARVEY
  • Ana Carolina OGANDO
  • Sarah Orleans REED
  • Sally ROEVER

Abstract

This article presents the findings for 11 cities across five geographical regions from a study led by Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing, investigating the impacts of the COVID‐19 crisis on different groups of informal workers and their households. Detailing impacts on work and income, food and hunger, care and other household responsibilities, and on the coping strategies of informal worker households, the article also compares the roles of government and informal worker organizations in providing relief and other support. Based on worker demands, the authors present guiding principles for a better deal for informal workers going forward.

Suggested Citation

  • Martha Alter CHEN & Erofili GRAPSA & Ghida ISMAIL & Michael ROGAN & Marcela VALDIVIA & Laura ALFERS & Jenna HARVEY & Ana Carolina OGANDO & Sarah Orleans REED & Sally ROEVER, 2022. "COVID‐19 and informal work: Evidence from 11 cities," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 161(1), pages 29-58, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:intlab:v:161:y:2022:i:1:p:29-58
    DOI: 10.1111/ilr.12221
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Verick, Sher., 2010. "Unravelling the impact of the global financial crisis on the South African labour market," ILO Working Papers 994541013402676, International Labour Organization.
    2. repec:ilo:ilowps:454101 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Durizzo, Kathrin & Asiedu, Edward & Van der Merwe, Antoinette & Van Niekerk, Attie & Günther, Isabel, 2021. "Managing the COVID-19 pandemic in poor urban neighborhoods: The case of Accra and Johannesburg," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    4. Balde, Racky & Boly, Mohamed & Avenyo, Elvis, 2020. "Labour market effects of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa: An informality lens from Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal," MERIT Working Papers 2020-022, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
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    Cited by:

    1. Ana Carolina OGANDO & Michael ROGAN & Rachel MOUSSIÉ, 2022. "Impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic and unpaid care work on informal workers' livelihoods," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 161(2), pages 171-194, June.
    2. Louisa Acciari, 2024. "Caring is resisting: Lessons from domestic workers' mobilizations during COVID‐19 in Latin America," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 319-336, January.

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