Potential Impact of Covid-19 on Occupational Status, Mobility and Digital Payment System in India

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic affected the socio-economic and attitudinal changes in society by altering livelihood to a large extent. The eruption of COVID-19 in China threatens not only human health but also the world's economic growth in the years to come. An examination of the three-dimensional changes in socio-economic and occupational shifts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic is presented in this paper. Firstly, it describes the occupational shifts, related perception, and demand and supply of ‘work from home’ experience. Secondly, the dynamics of reverse migration, unemployment, and altered wages are discussed. Thirdly, the paper examines the increased need for digital payment systems to reduce hand-to-hand transmission of the virus which indirectly uplifts the scope of some occupational activities. Therefore, systemic restructuring is required with the help of different models/ schemes to address the changing demand and supply, and to adapt to the new environment of jobs and attitudes, technology use and ‘work from home’ experiences.