Bangalore : Azim Premji University released its study on ‘Impact of COVID-19 on Livelihoods of informal sector workers and vulnerable groups in Bengaluru: A view from the ground’ in Bangalore . This study, undertaken in December 2020 reveals the nature of the pandemic’s impact upon informal sector workers across the city of Bengaluru.

Informal sector workers, lacking the safety-net offered by formal sector employment, have been adversely affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prolonged livelihood loss and a slow revival of trade have continued to stress the lives and livelihoods of these vulnerable groups. Managing essential household expenses, mortgage, access to health care, and diminished employment opportunities are some of the major challenges faced by such families.

The study finds that the current status of livelihoods of many informal sector workers, whether self-employed in nature (street vendors, waste pickers, auto drivers, mechanics, dhobis, small business) or working on wages rather than fixed salaries (domestic workers, sex workers, construction workers, piece rate workers) and vulnerable groups (garment workers, security staff, retail shop workers) endured severe disruptions and has not revived to levels before the spread of the pandemic. The study also finds that while 15 percent informal sector workers are still unemployed after losing their previous jobs, in addition 23 percent had experienced a break in employment during the pandemic, and, about 46 percent are currently engaged in the same job but with less pay.

Informal sector workers, especially the vulnerable and disadvantaged such as women and elderly workers, have experienced difficulty in sustaining existing livelihoods as well as in finding jobs. Over 10 civil society organisations, subject-matter experts and members of the Azim Premji Foundation, conducted this study through a combination of personal interviews, secondary data, and surveys, comparing the situation of the informal sector workers and vulnerable groups of the city now to that of before the lockdown beginning March 2020.

The report emphasizes that informal sector workers and vulnerable groups have highly precarious livelihoods. These challenges need to be tackled on multiple fronts, including creation of better-quality livelihood opportunities, adequate social security, and public services. This requires a synergy and collaboration between business, civil society and government, mere economic growth is insufficient to address these fundamental structural issues.

The full report is available at www.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/Impact-of-Covid-on-livelihoods

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Bengaluru, 15 September, 2020:  The Covid-19 Testing Centre in Public Health Centre, Magadi Road, West Zone, Bengaluru was inaugurated by Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan in the presence of Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao, MLA, Mr. Manjunatha Prasad, Commissioner BBMP and Mr. Chidanand, Joint Commissioner, West Zone, BBMP.

In addition to this Facility, three more testing labs are being set up at Sreerampuram, Gangondanahalli and Jagjeevan Ram Nagar hospitals. These primary Health centres are lifeline for Covid-19 and other health related support to the most vulnerable communities in the west zone largely living in slums and informal settlements working mostly as daily wage labourers, construction workers, street venders, garment workers and pourakarmikas and domestic workers.

The Testing Centre is equipped with a True Nat machine which has been approved for the use of Coronavirus screening. The samples of the throat and the nasal swab collected by the trained technicians is used for testing and results can be obtained in 30-60 minutes. TrueNat is portable, designed primarily to work at remote locations, and considered as ‘last mile diagnostics’. In addition to Covid-19, this machine can also be used to test for Tuberculosis (TB), Dengue, Chikangunya, Rabies, H1N1, Malaria, and several other pathogens.

This initiative is supported by Azim Premji Foundation which is committed to supporting the government’s effort on managing the Covid-19 pandemic. Azim Premji Foundation is working at various levels – increasing tertiary hospital capacity, especially ICU and oxygenated beds, expanding and setting up Covid-19 testing facilities, apart from support in training, communication and data management, with a wide network of NGO partners across the city on the front lines in supporting over 12 lakh marginalized communities on Covid-19.

Three such partners, CFAR ( Centre for Action and Research), Action Aid and Mercy Mission are working with over 350 dedicated staff and volunteers to build awareness and addressing fear and stigma , persuading communities to get tested as per the government guidelines and facilitating the same through testing camps conducted with the help of the PHC ,tracking of those at risk , facilitating testing and  , providing information on and access to quarantine and isolation facilities and post-recovery support through counselling and also access to dry ration kit as per BBMP provision.

Speaking on the occasion Hon’ble Dy. Chief Minister Dr.CN Ashwath Narayan said, “The Public Health Centre’s (PHC) are a critical component of our battle against Covid-19. This facility will enhance our capacity to perform testing and deliver quicker results thereby enabling faster isolation and containment. Our whole machinery is working non-stop for the last many months to support families in accessing quality health care at all levels. I appeal to all of you to stay calm and without fear. This is a global pandemic and the Government of Karnataka is fully equipped to handle this crisis. Please follow the guidelines for testing and quarantine as prescribed and co-operate with government authorities.”

Anurag Behar, CEO, Azim Premji Foundation said, “We have been at the forefront in the battle against this pandemic supporting governments and communities across the country including Karnataka. We are working in close coordination with the Government of Karnataka with a deep engagement on all fronts in Bengaluru city which has seen a surge in Covid-19 cases. The government has been working relentlessly to address the various aspects of this pandemic and we are committed in this effort with special focus on the most marginalized who are facing humanitarian and health crisis.”

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