Impact on Informal Sector Workers During the Pandemic: A Case Study of Kenya

Abstract

Informal sector (IS) workers comprise a significant proportion of the kenyan work force and contribute significantly to the GDP. Nevertheless, IS worker have little social protection and are economically marginalized, making them especially vulnerable to the effects of the government’s shutdown of the economy to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a sample of IS worker, researchers found that IS workers experienced dramatic decreases in their monthly income, although the reduction varied across occupation and geographic region. To compensate for reduced income, IS workers tapped their savings and increased their debt. The Kenyan government programmed to provide income support for workers during the shutdown reached less than half of IS workers. Social workers can help provide better social protection to IS workers from pandemic-amplified social exclusion.