Displaced Workers During Pandemic: Stories of Resilience and Recovery

Abstract

COVID-19 hit the world economy hard, and one of the setbacks during the pandemic was the displacement of workers due to lockdowns to avoid the virus. However, three years have passed, and much of the Filipino workforce has been left displaced, disrupting the lives of many, resulting from temporary layoffs to permanent unemployment. Thus, this study focused on the lived experiences of displaced workers during the pandemic, how they managed their difficulties, and the lessons they learned. The study used a phenomenological methodology to give meaning to the displaced workers' experiences as a single phenomenon. The 10 participants were chosen using the purposive sampling technique. One of the criteria for choosing the participants was that they were regular yet displaced employees during the pandemic. An in-depth interview was used in the study to collect the data. The researchers also ensured they followed ethical considerations. Through thematic analysis, the study revealed that while some had a chance to spend more time with their families due to the pandemic, the participants struggled mentally, emotionally, and financially. To recover from these struggles, the study would like to highlight the participants' coping mechanism, adaptive resilience. Lastly, these participants could reflect on their experiences by refining resilience and coping strategies to move forward in their lives as individuals. Based on the findings, the researchers recommend that future researchers use this study to explore innovative ways to support displaced workers and understand the intersection of economic changes with social factors.