Page 61 - IJPS-11-5

International Journal of
Population Studies Atypical workers and COVID-19

facts related to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on impact of the pandemic on atypical workers has been
contingent work. The third section outlines the empirical particularly severe; many lost their jobs or had their work
methodology used in the study, including the data sources, hours reduced. Figure 1 presents a graphical analysis of the
variables, and the empirical model used to analyze the data. impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on temporary jobs,
The fourth section discusses the study results, presenting showing that the African continent was hit the hardest.
key findings and critical analysis. Finally, the fifth section, The lack of government support in the region, with <20%
the conclusion, summarizes the study’s main findings of firms receiving aid, has negatively impacted contingent
and offers some recommendations for policymakers, workers, with some firms reducing their temporary
employers, and employees to mitigate the adverse effects workforce by over 60% in countries such as Togo, Somalia,
of the COVID-19 crisis on contingent work. This structure and Guinea. In contrast, European countries experienced a
provides a clear and logical framework for the article, less pronounced impact on temporary employment during
guiding readers through the research process and enabling the pandemic, likely due to greater government support for
them to engage with the topic effectively. businesses and workers.
1.1. COVID-19 health crisis and contingent work: The study’s findings have important policy implications,
Stylized facts particularly in addressing the vulnerability of atypical
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) workers in the labor market. Governments should support
declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Several governments firms and workers, particularly in regions where atypical
have introduced health and safety measures to limit employment is more prevalent, to mitigate the negative
the spread of the virus (i.e., social distancing and travel impact of economic crises, such as the COVID-19
restrictions) and other economic measures to support pandemic. Furthermore, efforts to improve labor market
the strategic sectors and vulnerable population segments. regulations and reduce job insecurity for atypical workers
These measures aimed to preserve human lives and jobs should be prioritized to ensure more secure and stable
(Enterprise Surveys, 2020). Atypical jobs are associated employment opportunities.
with higher vulnerability in employment, which is mainly Figure 2 presents the relationship between the
related to job insecurity for workers. This situation aligns percentages of vulnerable jobs in an economy. As
with the results of Probst et al. (2018), who mobilized a development levels increase, this type of employment
sample of 1228 employees from Italy, emphasizing that decreases, mainly due to the institutional framework and
contingent jobs are more associated with job insecurity. regulation of the labor market in developed countries
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted that offer flexibility in the jobs demanded by firms and
the global economy, with many countries experiencing that the security workers need. An example is the famous
high unemployment rates and economic instability. The “flexicurity” model applied in Denmark (Tuchszirer, 2007).

Figure 1. COVID-19 health crisis, government support, and contingent work: Europe and Africa
Source: Authors’ elaboration, based on Enterprise Surveys (COVID-19: Impact on firms) Databases.

Volume 11 Issue 5 (2025) 55 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.3575