Impact of the first wave of COVID-19 on the employment of older people in Latvia, the Baltic States and Europe

Abstract

The study bases on the SHARE Wave 8 COVID-19 Survey conducted in June-August 2020 in 26 European countries and Israel via CATI. The association between health status of older workers and their involvement into labour market in Latvia is the strongest in Europe. In the short term, the first wave of the infection outbreak affected the employment of older population in the Baltic States to much lesser extent than in most of participating countries. The proportion of those workers who experienced unemployment, lay-off or closure of business, as well as changes in the number of working hours was considerably lower than average values. The branches with traditionally high share of older workers (education, healthcare, agriculture, administrative services) were least affected by lockdown measures. Remote work from home in the Baltic States as well as combining work from home with usual work place was lower than the European average. The existing labour legislation in Latvia does not ensure sufficient protection of workers’ rights and health in the situation of remote work.