Impact of COVID-19 on employees in the Philippines, May 2020
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
covid-19 workplace ender equality woen's economic empowerment
Impact of COVID-19 on employees in the Philippines, May 2020
The Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment and Investing in Women commissioned a survey of 300 men and 300 women employees, aged 18 to 60, from large private sector firms. The aim of the survey was to understand impacts of COVID-19 on the work and personal lives of employees.
This fact sheet provides findings around impacts of COVID-19 on employment, productivity, income, household responsibilities, and mental and physical health in the Philippines.
Key Findings
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on employment in the Philippines:
- A majority of employees reported their job was suspended, hours and pay reduced, or they were forced to take unpaid leave. Only 37% of employees could report that COVID-19 had no impact on their job.
- A total of 6 out of 10 families lost income.
- Over 60% of those affected began working from home.
However, nearly 70% of employees reported they were able to be equally or more productive during the crisis – 21% of women and 14% of men reported being more productive.
Overall, 4 in 10 adults felt pressure to do more household work and child care. Increased time spent on cleaning was reported by 77% of women and 72% of men.
Importantly, 48% of women and 39% of men reported a negative impact on their mental well-being due to COVID-19, and 4 in 10 respondents reported a negative impact on their physical well-being (43% of women and 41% of men).
Learn more about COVID-19 and women’s economic empowerment (WEE) on the COVID-19 & WEE resource section.
