Impact of COVID-19 on Unorganized Sector Labourers

The Indian economy is characterized by the existence of a vast majority of informal or unorganized labour employment. The COVID-19 pandemic is a major economic and labour market shock, presenting significant impacts in terms of unemployment and underemployment for informal workers in India. The unorganized sector, comprising a substantial portion of the labor force in many countries, is characterized by informal employment, lack of social security, and limited access to formal labor rights. The pandemic's far-reaching implications have exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, magnifying the plight of these laborers. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 triggered unprecedented global disruptions, significantly affecting various sectors of the economy, including the unorganized labor market. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the impact of COVID-19 on unorganized sector laborers, analyzing the socio-economic consequences and challenges faced by this vulnerable workforce.