Bartering as a Form of Resilience During COVID-19: Case Study of Barter for Better Fiji Facebook Page

Abstract

The economic impact of COVID-19 has caused a global economic slowdown with industries shutting down and massive layoffs worldwide. Governments of the more developed and richer economies have responded to this economic crisis by launching unprecedented stimulus packages aimed at keeping their economy afloat. However, many of the smaller developing economies lack the financial resources to provide such generous welfare packages. Fiji is one such economy that has been particularly affected due to their reliance on tourism, their dependence on international aid, which has also reduced during COVID-19, and Fiji was also affected by a cyclone during the beginning of 2020. The Fiji government’s social welfare and social protection system were already weak, and this crisis has highlighted the vulnerability of the economy and of its people. With an ailing economy, lack of liquidity and lack of government support, one would think that this would push Fijians into a situation of economic despair, increased crime and potential mass revolt. However, this has been far from the case. One of the most interesting developments from Fiji during COVID-19 has been the emergence of a barter economy facilitated by social media. The Barter for Better Fiji (BFBF) initiative is a Facebook page that was created by three Fijian women to help individuals in Fiji access essential goods such as groceries by bartering for other goods and services. The page has become a national and regional phenomenon with outgrowths of the page also being created in other Pacific Island countries and in major economies with large Pacific Island communities. This chapter explores the emergence of Fiji’s barter economy as an alternative form of community-based and internet-mediated social protection during the COVID-19 crisis.