COVID19: A Survival Game for Freelance Workers
Sunday 3rd of May 2020
COVID19: A Survival Game for Freelance Workers
‘There isn’t enough finance to pay freelance workers,’ said the Economic Minister of Maldives on 1st May. The Minister stated that the country has limited funds and it is not possible to provide payments to freelance workers as it is difficult to identify who are self-employed and who are not. His statement has brought into highlights: the issue of lack of support to self-employed workers.
According to latest statistics by Payoneer, the payments company, 32% of over 1000 freelancers surveyed say demand for freelancing has decreased greatly following COVID 19; 40% described business demand as stable or continuing to grow. This shows that the pandemic has had an adverse effect on majority of freelancers around the globe. Along with other employees, freelancers also face financial difficulties and job insecurity.
These workers play an important role in the economy, but it can be said that their roles are often underrated. Freelancing jobs aren’t limited to singing and performing but it includes various sectors such as consultancy roles, graphics, as software developers, designers and content creators as well as taxi drivers.
However, the Minister stated that the Ministry is working on a guideline to categorizing freelancers. Further, Economic Ministry and SDFC has included freelancers in their loan scheme to provide financial support to SMEs amid the pandemic. Under this loan, freelancers will get maximum MVR 18,000 loans.
This issue was not only raised in Maldives, but in countries around the world. It has been said by Fast Company magazine in America that ‘independent workers have been historically overlooked by policymakers in the U.S.’ While steps are being taken to ensure job security of full time employees in companies, the same should be done for freelancers and SMEs.
Some locals believe that wealthy people in the country should step forward to help the freelance workers. Undoubtedly, these workers should not be discriminated and the same efforts taken to ensure the security of full time employees should be taken for freelancers as well. It is hoped that the government finds a solution to this as soon as possible.