Cost Analysis of Labor Loss in The COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Düzce

Aim of study: This study aims to calculate the costs of labor losses between March 20, 2020, and March 20, 2021, of public and private sector employees registered with the Social Security Institution in Düzce province, who tested positive for COVID-19 and thus caused labor loss. Material and method: Data from March 20, 2020, to March 20, 2021, were analyzed on a monthly basis. Main results: The results revealed that the first COVID-19 case in Düzce was observed on March 20 2020 and 9355 positive cases were detected in active insured employees in Düzce within one year after this date. As a result of the calculations, it was determined that the average age of the cases was 38.09, the average age of women was 37.94, and the average age of men was 38.22. Within the scope of this study, 71.19% of positive employees were found to work in the manufacturing sector. Research highlights: As a result of the calculations, a total of 785736 hours of labor force was lost, and the ratio of this loss to the total labor force was calculated as 0.29%. When the minimum wage and quarantine periods are considered, a monthly labor loss cost of 955330.58 TL ($136476) has emerged. The average labor loss cost of 459020.05 TL ($65574) per month for women and 496310.50 TL ($70901) per month for men was calculated.