The pandemic has exposed deep inequalities in our society. Those who have described the virus as the ‘great equaliser’ have been accused of missing the differential impact it is having on already marginalised groups.
Reports show that the effect of the crisis will be felt most keenly by those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, those from BAME backgrounds, migrant workers in low paid (now ‘key worker’) positions, and others more marginalised in society.
The majority of workers with the highest exposure to Covid-19 are women. Of the 3.2 million workers in ‘high risk’ roles, 77% are women.
Working with the Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) in London, we have been examining access to support available to migrant women working predominantly in cleaning, domestic work and the hospitality sector. Read more here