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Covid-19 has made low-paid jobs 'worse for workers but more valuable to society'

A new paper calls on policymakers to ‘transform’ precarious and low-paid jobs.

THE PANDEMIC IS highlighting discrepancies between quality of employment and the level of risk associated with certain low-paying jobs, according to a new paper by the National Economic and Social Council (NESC).

Many low-paid workers have found themselves on the frontlines of the pandemic after their jobs were deemed essential by the government. Some, such as those in hospitality have lost their jobs and face “significant vulnerability” to permanent job losses, the paper states. 

In its research, NESC found 670,000 workers in financial and professional services as well as information technology (IT) have average annual incomes of €55,200 and are at a low risk of contracting the virus in work.

On the other hand, 902,000 workers in retail, hospitality and healthcare earn an average €29,300 a year, but their risk of infection is over five-times higher.

NESC, which advises the government on economic issues, makes a distinction between ‘good’ jobs and ‘poor’ jobs in the report, titled ‘How We Value Work’.

“In more ‘normal’ times,” the paper says, “workers and policy-makers considering ‘good jobs’ and quality of work could look to the earnings, output, or productivity in a sector” along with hours of work and terms and conditions of employment.

NESC says that Covid-19 has “re-emphasised the pre-existing negative aspects” of certain poor jobs and “reinforced the importance of adequate hours and wages”.

The virus has also introduced new criteria that determine the quality of employment; the intensity of contact with the public, the risk of being infected and the ability to work from home.

For example, the paper explains, “Workers in food-retail have continued to work in outlets in the face of the outbreak, with average incomes €26,500 lower per year than a worker in, say, the financial services sector, with twice the risk of contracting Covid-19.

“In this sense, the pandemic has made good jobs better and more valuable to the worker; and made poor jobs worse, yet more valuable to society.”

In conclusion, NESC says that policymakers “must act to transform these ‘precarious/low paid, but now essential’ jobs into ‘good jobs’.”

Commenting on the report, Dr Cathal Fitzgerald, research analyst at NESC said, “The signals are strong enough to suggest that policy-makers and key stakeholders across society need to consider how the coincidence of existing negative issues and new criteria will shape and inform our understanding of the quality and value of work.”

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    Mute whatistheseason
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    Jul 16th 2021, 9:57 AM

    I have volunteered to be part of the control group for this experiment

    54
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    Mute John Drake - Zoomers is OUT NOW!
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    Jul 16th 2021, 10:06 AM

    @whatistheseason: Congratulations! You have earned a nomination for this year’s Darwin Awards.

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    Mute whatistheseason
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    Jul 16th 2021, 10:09 AM

    @John Drake – Zoomers is OUT NOW!: We’ll see, but it looks likely that Covid won’t get me considering I’ve been travelling around the world all the way through this pandemic. And this vaccine has not been tested like previous vaccines. Ever hear of what happened with thalmolide?

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    Mute whatistheseason
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    Jul 16th 2021, 10:11 AM

    *thalidomide

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    Mute Darren Norris
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    Jul 16th 2021, 11:47 AM

    @whatistheseason: it is a key WHO medicine. Was not able to know the effects on every type of person at the time but still a valid and important medicine. Are you trying to scare people on vaccines with Facebook jargon?

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    Mute SmallbutMighty
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    Jul 16th 2021, 12:33 PM

    @whatistheseason: except it has been tested to the same standards as every other vaccine.

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    Mute James Ward
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    Jul 16th 2021, 12:40 PM

    @whatistheseason: funny that the same company who created thalidomide, manufacture the biggest selling pain relief/stomach relief product in Ireland. maybe helps with back relief for tin hats as well!

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    Mute whatistheseason
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    Jul 16th 2021, 3:24 PM

    @SmallbutMighty: No because other vaccines have average of 10 years before they were cleared for the general population. There’s no substitute for time and experience no matter how sophisticated they think they are. Add to that the fact that the vaccine manufacturers got an 100% indemnity, any dissent on traditional/social media is immediately crucified, the main stream news has gone way over to the left, has a lot of propaganda and can’t be trusted, people are at their wits end with the lockdowns, most people are afraid of stepping out of line and the pharmaceutical industry is there to make a profit. You can’t just go along with everything you are told, you have to investigate. If there was an actual debate and more dissent on the issue I would be more inclined to take the vaccine. However the fact that everyone is singing off the same hymn sheet is the thing that worries me the most. Conforming to the majority opinion is nothing to be proud of, nothing. Wake up sheeple.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNmx2Kj628M

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    Mute whatistheseason
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    Jul 16th 2021, 3:29 PM

    @James Ward: FTW I mean are you trying to make my point for me?!

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    Mute Paul
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    Jul 16th 2021, 10:08 AM

    Nice weather for it

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    Mute Jonathan
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    Jul 16th 2021, 11:19 AM

    Get them into you

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    Mute Rob
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    Jul 16th 2021, 9:56 AM

    Will those aged 35 and older be able to register through the portal for AZ or JJ? Leo mentioned they would at a briefing a few weeks ago but no mention of it since.

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    Mute Ryan O'Rourke
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    Jul 16th 2021, 10:12 AM

    @Rob: if you register it goes to a page and asks you if youre happy to receive Astra. No mention of J&J, presume that’s only through pharmacies?

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    Mute Rob
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    Jul 16th 2021, 10:53 AM

    @Ryan O’Rourke: The AZ option is there for all age groups?

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    Mute Rob
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    Jul 16th 2021, 11:04 AM

    @Rob: Its ok, I just registered but no option to choose AZ. No worries will decline my appointment when offered one and sit tight!

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    Mute Diarmuid Hunt
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    Jul 16th 2021, 11:13 AM

    @Rob: I just booked it and you are automatically register for pfizer and moderna and can also select Astrazeneca if you are willing to get it.

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    Mute Rob
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    Jul 16th 2021, 11:16 AM

    @Diarmuid Hunt: I’m 41 so that must be for younger age groups?

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    Mute Diarmuid Hunt
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    Jul 16th 2021, 1:49 PM

    @Rob: I’d imagine so as the AZ side effects though extremely rare have a higher occurrence in younger age groups.

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