The Untimely Dismissal of Workers with Disabilities in the Private Sector, during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Ecuador

ABSTRACT

Since March 2020, as a result of the health crisis caused by Covid-19, Ecuador has faced a sensitive panorama in the field of labor relations. The so-called states of emergency, which gave rise to restrictions on freedom of movement and assembly, led to the suspension of activities to safeguard the health of the population;and;consequently, in the issuance of new rules and guidelines for workers. Undoubtedly, a devasting scenario wordwide;and specifically for Ecuador, where, in addition to losing human lives, significant sources of work were lost and working conditions were modified to the detriment of workers, regardless of their condition. From this perspective, in this paper the labor regulations that were applied during the pandemic caused by Covid-19 are analyzed, in contrast to the norm applicable to disabled workers subject to the Labor Code, to finally, propose the procedural scenario that faces this priority care group in the courts of the country.