The unequal impact of COVID-19: A spotlight on frontline workers, migrants and racial/ethnic
minorities
The young, the low educated, migrants, racial/ethnic minorities and low-wage workers
were over-represented in jobs that cannot be done remotely and were therefore exposed
to a higher risk of infection or job loss when the pandemic began. Many of those employed
in these at-risk jobs were the frontline workers who continued to work in their physical
workplace and in contact with other people throughout the pandemic to deliver essential
goods and services. Indeed, the crisis has highlighted the extent to which society
depends upon frontline workers who are often employed in low-paid jobs whose quality
matches neither the importance of the work, nor the hazards involved. Other workers
in at-risk jobs suffered particularly large losses in employment and income. In particular,
both migrants and workers from racial/ethnic minorities were hit harder initially
and are recovering more slowly.
Published on March 17, 2022
In series:OECD Policy Responses to Coronavirus (COVID-19)view more titles