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Investigating the Earnings of Migrant and Local Day Labourers in Johannesburg, South Africa—A Post‐Covid‐19 Perspective

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT The fallout of the Covid‐19 pandemic exacerbated the already challenging conditions prevailing among the day labourers in South Africa. We investigated the labour market outcomes (especially income) of day labourers after the Covid‐19 pandemic by focusing on day labourers, both local and foreign, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The methodology for our investigation was based on protocols used in other international and South African studies on various aspects pertaining to day labouring in the Global North and Global South. The fieldwork was carried out in the second half of 2021—completing 241 structured interviews. Regression results indicate that, in general, day labourers' experience and ability to negotiate their wages before accepting a job are the main determinants of their income. Site size matters more for migrants compared to locals, while performing a highly skilled job matters more for local South Africans. Since the bargaining position of workers in the informal economy continues to be eroded in the aftermath of the Covid‐19 pandemic, day labourers may be especially affected, and their structural vulnerability may worsen—and even more so for the migrants.

Source: Population Space and Place

DOI: 10.1002/psp.70090

Authors: Derick Blaauw, Anmar Pretorius, Catherina Schenck, Danie Meyer

Institutions: North-West University, University of the Western Cape, University of Johannesburg

Language: English

Topic: Migration and Labor Dynamics

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, No poverty, Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,700