Socio-Economic Impact on the Working-Class during the Covid-19: A Comparative Study between Kolkata and Dhaka Cities

Abstract

This study compares the socio-economic impact on the working-class between Kolkata (West Bengal, India) and Dhaka (Bangladesh) Cities during the period of Covid-19 because the socio-economic characteristics’ are comparatively similar in nature. Workers in diverse sectors have undergone by reason of the closure of businesses, manufacturing and service sectors, and other sectors. This study is based on primary data collected from two cities of two countries using the structured questionnaire. In the course of analysis, exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling have been used. Exploratory factor analysis shows that five latent variables in terms of one economic factor, three societal factors and one working-class factor from Kolkata city and six latent variables in terms of two economic factors, three societal factors and one working-class factor from Dhaka city have been identified. The structural equation model demonstrates that both economic and societal factors/variables influence the working class in Kolkata and Dhaka cities during the pandemic situation.