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Expert Panel: Informality and COVID-19 in South Asia

Among the world’s developing regions, South Asia has the highest share of informal employment. More than 80 percent of workers in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan are informal. These workers are excluded from labor laws and social protection schemes that apply to organized labor and the specific risks associated with COVID-19 exacerbate their situation. Informal workers are particularly vulnerable to shocks as they tend to have less cash on hand and more limited access to credit. They are also more likely to lose their jobs and face extreme poverty and food insecurity as the pandemic intensifies across the region. This webinar brings together academics, policy advisors, health policy experts, and civil society leaders to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on South Asia’s most vulnerable people.

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Prabir De

This World Bank pane is most powerful panel. Real high level. My question current pandemic has given put us back in time with variation. In past technology was not there but today countries are technologically empowered. What are these countries doing to managing long lasting effects of Corona pandemic such as nutrition in new born babies, education of homeless kids, etc. who are most vulnerable to the shock? Can South Asian countries undertake regional initiatives?

Wed, 09/09/2020 - 14:08

Bryan Greenwood

Are there financial institutions and organizations in South Asia offering informal workers nonprofit loans with no interest or fees?

Wed, 09/09/2020 - 14:09

DAnyal Amjad

impact of covid on environment

Wed, 09/09/2020 - 14:09

Fatima Hayat

How can we work on formalising the informal sector? What methods/incentives/platforms can be set up to make emergency cash transfers and make informal workers register themselves for social protection schemes?

Wed, 09/09/2020 - 14:09

muzzamil

i like this group and appreciate their efforts in pendamic

Wed, 09/09/2020 - 14:09

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Speakers

Ravi Kanbur

T. H. Lee Professor of World Affairs, Cornell University
Hans Timmer

World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia
Ishrat Husain

Advisor for Institutional Reforms and Austerity to Prime Minister of Pakistan
Renana Jhabvala

National Coordinator of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) of India, Chair of SEWA Bharat and co-founder and board chair of WIEGO
Sabina Faiz Rashid

Dean, School of Public Health, BRAC University
Illango Patchamuthu

Director for Strategy and Operations, South Asia Region, World Bank