The market-reach of pandemics: Evidence from female workers in Ethiopia’s ready-made garment industry

B-Tier
Journal: World Development
Year: 2021
Volume: 137
Issue: C

Authors (5)

Meyer, Christian Johannes (Oxford University) Hardy, Morgan (New York University Abu Dhabi) Witte, Marc (not in RePEc) Kagy, Gisella (not in RePEc) Demeke, Eyoual (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.402 = (α=2.01 / 5 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

In a globalized world, pandemics transmit impacts through markets. We document employment changes, coping strategies, and welfare of garment factory workers in Ethiopia’s largest industrial park during the early stages of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic. We field a phone survey of female workers during a two month period in which cases are rapidly rising globally, but not locally. Our data suggest significant changes in employment, high levels of migration away from urban areas to rural areas if women are no longer working, and high levels of food insecurity. These findings compel a research and policy focus on documenting and mitigating the market-reach of pandemics on low-income workers at the margins.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:wdevel:v:137:y:2021:i:c:s0305750x20303065
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
5
Added to Database
2026-01-25