The Lived Experiences of Construction Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic: In Suburban Case
Celeste A. De Asis *
Graduate School, Samar State University, Philippines. and Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Eastern Philippines, University Town, Catarman, Northern Samar, 6400 Philippines.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The lived experiences of construction workers are explored in this study. The twelve construction workers were interviewed face-to-face to solicit their struggles and sufferings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data gathered from the respondents were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. In the analysis, the major themes identified were Knowledge of COVID-19, Initial Reaction, Financial Assistance Received, Life during Work Suspension and Challenges experienced as Construction Workers. Fear of infection and worry for their family were the initial reactions of all the respondents upon hearing of this CoVID-19 virus. For them to cope with the crisis during the work suspension period they resorted to an alternative way of livelihoods like went to farming, copra selling, rice harvesting, and 'habal habal' driver. Homesick is also one of the challenges being experienced by a construction worker for he cannot go home because of travel restrictions.
Keywords: Construction workers, COVID-19 pandemic, lived experiences.