SURVIVAL STRATEGIES OF THE SUPPORTING STAFF OF RESIDENTIAL HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS DURING COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 impacted the life and livelihoods of all classes of people of Bangladesh. This study was conducted to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on the supporting staff of residential hotel and restaurants and to explore their survival strategies. To attain the objectives of this study, 110 supporting staff of residential hotel and restaurants from different location of Dhaka city were selected to collect primary data using structured interview schedule. Data were collected during June and July, 2022. Results reveal that the monthly income before COVID-19 was Tk. 17240.56 which decreased to Tk. 13948.60/month after COVID-19. Money send to their family members live in village was greatly reduced due to the pandemic. Result also reveals that the majority (77.27%) of the respondent lost their job due to COVID-19 pandemic related shocks. Findings indicate that 63.64% of the supporting staff regained their job on previous post but 36.36 percent of the respondents had to manage their job in similar post in other hotels or restaurants. To survive respondents were forced to reduce their monthly expenditure by Tk. 1294.90. Besides, most of the respondents (60%) managed their household expenditure during COVID-19 from relatives loan. Majority of the respondents (64%) did not receive any aid. Mostly stated reasons behind that were the improper distributions of the government aid due to the influence of nepotism, corruption by the local government and improper monitoring system by the authority. A policy framework to protect the vulnerable working people is warranted to avoid similar future events. Besides, these people should be encouraged to save for future uncertainties.