The Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions on the Daily Wage Workers in the Informal Economy of Pakistan (A Case Study of the Daily Wage Workers in Islamabad).

Abstract

The informal economic sector is defined as diverse economic activities, businesses, employment in which the workforce is not regulated and protected by the state. Self-employment in small unregistered businesses is also a part of informal economy. Furthermore, it has been extended to cover wage employment in the informal sector jobs (WEIGO, 2021). Hence the informal workers lack job security and social protection so they become more vulnerable in disasters and economic crisis. The informal sector in the developing countries was hit hardest by the COVID-I 9 pandemic. The research was condLJed in the Rana Market of Sector F7, Islamabad. This research is a qualitative study which aims to explore the effects of COVID-I 9 restrictions on the daily wage workers of the informal sector and the coping mechanisms adopted by them to get through the difficult times. Data was collected with the help of semi-structured, open ended in-depth interviews. The data collected through the research is analyzed with the help of thema1tic analysis technique. The finding of this research show that the daily wage workers were severely impacted during the lockdowns. They were unable to find work even on minimum daily wages. Due to the strict governmental policies regarding the business and market closure, these daily wagers were not allowed sit on the road side, which was the only place for them to find work. The research looks into the effects ofCOVID-19 on the livelihoods and socioeconomic well-being. The research also highlights the coping strategies that helped the daily wagers during the rigorous lockdowns. The only option to provide food to their families back then was to borrow money from acquaintances, which helped them at the moment, but added to their misery afterwards. The safety net provided by the government was unapproachable for most of the daily wage workers.