GSEE: Six out of ten workers saw a reduction in income during the coronavirus pandemic

Almost six out of 10 workers say they suffered a reduction in income during the coronavirus pandemic. 36% indicates a decrease greater than 21%. The results of a special thematic public opinion survey of the GSEE and the Institute of Labour in private sector workers, records the comparative climate indicators regarding the evolution of pay, job security and job satisfaction. teleworking, the rapid growth of which is negatively assessed by most employees. Following a similar survey in October 2020, the negative economic and labour impacts of the pandemic on private sector workers are recorded.

The findings are:

56% of workers report that their incomes decreased during the pandemic

• Of these, 22% report a loss of income of over 31%, while 14% report a loss of income of 21 - 30%.
• 48% of employees reporting a decrease in income say they are pessimistic about their pay trend over the next 6 months.

40% of workers say they have teleworked during the pandemic

At the same time, they appear to evaluate negatively the rapid development of teleworking in relation to their career development, the development of their pay, their working hours, their employment rights, their personal life and their mental balance.

Specifically:

• 65% assesses the impact of teleworking as negative in relation to their working hours
• 54% assesses the impact of teleworking as negative in relation to their labour rights
• 54% assesses the negative effects of teleworking on their mental balance as negative
• 52% assess the negative impact of teleworking on their personal life as negative
• 40% rates the impact of telecommuting as negative in relation to their pay progression
• 40% assesses the impact of telecommuting as negative in relation to their career development

The other findings of the survey record similar views to that of October 2020. Specifically:

• 56% of respondents express pessimism about the country's course in the months ahead (+4% compared to October).
• 58% say they are pessimistic about the development of their pay over the next 6 months (+1% compared to October).
• 39% of employees are pessimistic about keeping their job (+1% compared to October) and 53% are optimistic (-1% compared to October).

«The Survey clearly illustrates the the intensification of the climate of economic and labour insecurity and precariousness and the growing concern of private sector workers on the changes that the pandemic period brings in relation to their pay and employment rights,» says the GSEE and calls on the government:

• to address, through concrete actions, the growing delinquency in the labour market,
• take action to provide substantial support for labour and the affected workers,
• restore and strengthen the institution of independent collective bargaining,
• develop a substantial institutional framework to regulate teleworking, which is developing in an anarchic and unfair way.

«In this difficult - in every respect - context, the full restoration and activation of Free Collective Bargaining and the ability of the social partners to shape the minimum wage, is more than ever a social necessity», concludes the Confederation.