Covid Second Wave 2021

LIVELIHOODS ON LOAN: A Rapid Survey to assess the Impact of COVID-19 on Financial Well–Being of Domestic Workers

Seen as vectors of the disease, women domestic workers (DWs) - who, in fact are frontline workers - are one of the populations affected the most by unemployment as a consequence of the pandemic. In May-June 2021, Jagori held a rapid telephonic survey with 25 women DWs across Delhi-NCR.

Without jobs, a large majority of these workers had sustained their livelihoods by taking informal and formal loans, many still being stuck in cycles of debt, without much work in hand. Even the small sample of 25 makes abundantly clear their lack of access to resources and/ or support structures, and most importantly, the impoverishment at all levels.

Jagori is grateful to all 25 sisters who spoke to us in this difficult phase and for their trust in us. We also profusely thank Community for Social Change and Development (CSCD) and Shehri Mahila Kamgar Union (SMKU) for the support and solidarity.