02446nas a2200229 4500008004100000022001400041245009300055210006900148300001000217490000700227520172500234653002201959653001001981653001801991653002002009653001202029100001902041700001802060700002002078700001802098856010002116 2022 eng d a2300-168200aThe Impact of the First Covid-19 Wave on Migrant Workers: The Case of Romanians in Italy0 aImpact of the First Covid19 Wave on Migrant Workers The Case of  a23-480 v113 a

The Covid-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on health systems, on many economic sectors and on the labour market. This critical situation is also accompanied by social destabilisation, which has exacerbated inequalities and severely affected the most disadvantaged population groups, such as migrant workers. This study provides insights into the consequences of the first wave and the lockdown period in Spring 2020 of the Covid-19 pandemic on Romanians living in Italy, using data collected by the International Association Italy-Romania ‘Cuore Romeno’, within a project financed by the Romanian Department for Diaspora and developed to support actions while strengthening the link with Romanian institutions during the pandemic. Findings show that, during the lockdown, two opposite situations occurred among Romanians. Workers in the ‘key sector’ become indispensable and experienced only small changes, while others lost their job or experienced a worsening of working conditions, with lower wages or an increase in working hours. Most workers chose to stay in Italy, relying on their savings or the support of the Italian government. Job losses, not having new employment, and having limited savings all influenced the decision of a smaller group to return to Romania. In conclusion, the analysis suggests that measures adopted should take into consideration that the Covid-19 pandemic might disproportionally hit population groups such as migrants, women, young people and temporary and unprotected workers, particularly those employed in trade, hospitality and agriculture.

 

10aCovid-19 pandemic10aItaly10alabour market10amigrant workers10aRomania1 aSalaris, Luisa1 aIacob, Andrei1 aAnghel, Viviana1 aContu, Giulia uhttps://ceemr.uw.edu.pl/content/impact-first-covid-19-wave-migrant-workers-case-romanians-italy