greetings
The informal economy is often ignored when it comes to supportive policies particularly in times of crisis. Although it contains 2 billion workers (ILO,2020) worldwide, and with no alternative source of income. Stop working is not an option for those working in the informal economy.
based on this can we say that the informal economy helps the spread of the pandemic? if yes. why the African countries that are known with the spread of the informal economy has relatively small infected cases?
I agree we need statistically sound sampling strategies to be better informed of the extent and rate of countrywide infections. In many African countries, we cannot say with certainty that the formal sector has more coronavirus infections than the the informal sector, or vice versa. The relevant information is yet to be gathered. Internal testing is not widespread. Most tests conducted so far have been on returnees and visitors at border posts and international airports. In addition, not all causes of death are recorded, particularly when some people die without having gone to any hospital, and are buried in areas where medical records are not a requirement.
The reason for small infected cases in African countries could be due to low testing /tracing done.
Informal economy has been affected severally due to Covid1-19. Tiny/small and informal/unorganized works are very badly affected. Government of India is taking some steps to revive them. It is a huge challenge
Dear S G Deshmukh
Thank you for your response. For the low testing rate, we find many voices demanding their governments to increase the number of tests. In my humble opinion, I think it is better to turn to qualified statisticians and formulate a better testing strategy. after all, we can't test all the population.
for the second part, also the Algerian government made some policies to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on small official enterprises. but what about the informal enterprises? how can the government help them without knowing how many informal enterprises there is?
as you said Sir it is very challenging
I agree, Ayeman. We need to take professional inputs on testing/tracing. The industry associations can help in estimating the help/rehabilitation package required for informal economy. It is also to be noted that the informal economy may not be in the ambit of digitization !
I agree we need statistically sound sampling strategies to be better informed of the extent and rate of countrywide infections. In many African countries, we cannot say with certainty that the formal sector has more coronavirus infections than the the informal sector, or vice versa. The relevant information is yet to be gathered. Internal testing is not widespread. Most tests conducted so far have been on returnees and visitors at border posts and international airports. In addition, not all causes of death are recorded, particularly when some people die without having gone to any hospital, and are buried in areas where medical records are not a requirement.
An interesting manuscript recounting the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in low- and middle-income countries are described in the following manuscript, greetings
Article Economy or Health, Constant Dilemma in Times of Pandemic: Th...
In the case of Africa, it can be two options. First, less cases are given because there is no way to measure the COVID in Africa. Secondly, countries in Africa are less prone to connect with other countries
Low testing may account for the low cases of Covid -19 in Africa. But there could be other factors, like the immunity levels. Africans in Africa may have developed strong immunity against the virus. In Nigeria, the country is blessed with fertile land and natural fruits and fresh vegetables are in abundance. Many in the informal setting are in villages that are relatively free from pollution. Malaria fever is rampant and the use of Chloroquin for it's cure is common in Nigeria. If Chloroquin helps in the cure for the virus, then it is likely that many people that have been infected actually recovered without knowing that they contracted it.
In countries like Colombia, government support is focused on formal workers. As you describe in the question, informal workers do not receive support, which forces them to go out to work every day, and this, in turn, facilitates the spread of the outbreak. Governments must understand that they must help the total population, and not only those with stability, providing a universal basic income. Regarding the case of Africa, I sincerely believe that the number of tests is limited and that the population is also not interested in reaching the diagnosis, these being the reasons why there is a low number of reported infections.
I invite you to read the following manuscript
Article Economy or Health, Constant Dilemma in Times of Pandemic: Th...
You are absulutely right!! Pandemic and informal economy are closely related for the spread of each other (Williams, Kayaoglu, 2020; Narula, 2020; Berdiev et al., 2020). I agree with the opinion of low testing...We can write a paper focused on that. What do you think?
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