The COVID-19 pandemic brings new conditions and situations around the world that require the adaptation. One of the sectors affected is the workers sector. Thus, the categorization of workers in this condition is formed. These categories are essential workers, remote workers, and workers who have been or will be unemployed, either temporarily or permanently.
Types of workers in each categorization
Essential workers consist of health workers, drug factory workers, workers in grocery stores, and delivery workers. The first category is considered essential or important. It is because of their role in helping the pandemic, both to reduce contact during lockdown and to assist in its treatment. Remote workers are workers who have the opportunity to continue working outside the office. Meanwhile, the third category is workers who will be or having been losing their jobs.
The changes in each types of categorization
Each of these categorization of workers have faced many changes in their working practices. This change requires a higher work ethic as well as skill improvement according to new needs in this condition. Apart from changes, each category of workers has its own challenges.
Essential workers face challenges at work while prioritizing their physical safety. The third category, facing uncertainty in employment, can lose their jobs and may need to change the job role. Remote workers face challenges in maintaining physical and mental health due to the many changing practices of working from home. This can be caused by non-conducive housing conditions, the presence of children or parents who need to be taken care of or assisted.
Data by the head of human resources that complements the report by the World Economic Forum indicates that, on average, 44% of workers can do their work remotely. It is different with the other 24% who cannot do the same thing because of their role during the pandemic which requires them to work on-site.
The division of these categories is based on the needs and roles of these workers in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of them has its own challenges. Different challenges require different efforts. We also need to keep trying and pray that the crisis we are facing now will quickly pass.