As the world commemorates Labour Day today, we discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the informal segments of the economy.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that global working hours declined in the first quarter of 2020 by4.5 per cent, translating into 130 million full-time jobs. The most vulnerable
group heavily impacted in Africa and Asia are informal sector workers.
The Ghana Living Standards Survey 7 report indicates that 71.3% of Ghanaian workers are
found in the informal economy with unstable streams of income. This led to
pressure to ease the lockdown in affected areas due to loss of livelihoods,
despite some social interventions (food distribution) during the period.
As we reflect on May Day, its important to
determine ways of supporting the informal sector with sustainable and structured
social interventions and support system that could serve as a stop-gap during
unusual times when unstable income streams are affected.
