Impact of COVID-19 on the Contracting & Engineering Companies in Gaza Strip

Construction projects are among the riskiest projects, which require the application of the right rules and to abide by the proper safety standards. Thus, this study aims to study the impact of COVID-19 on the construction and engineering companies due to the Corona pandemic in the Gaza Strip, and introducing the means used in dealing with this pandemic and how to avoid, limit and deal with it. And to shed light on the most important obstacles and challenges facing the construction sector in the light of the outbreak of the epidemic. To achieve this, a cross-sectional study based on an online questionnaire was conducted by Google Forms. Then, the data collected was analyzed using the thematic analysis approach. The results show that best procedures to mitigate the impact of this epidemic and to prioritize the safety and health of employees in contracting and engineering companies, to provide a safe work environment and developing plans to confront the spread of injury in the work-environment. The study recommends that government may provide financial support to companies and reduce taxes imposed on them in order to be able to confront this pandemic.


Introduction
COVID-19 disease is an infectious disease caused by the last discovered virus of the Corona virus strain. There was no knowledge of this new virus and its disease before the outbreak began in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019 [1]. A few months later the virus evolved into a global pandemic that impacted nearly everyone worldwide. Therefore, this epidemic has led to the disruption of economic consequences, affecting the construction industry across the globe [5] [6]. The Government of Palestine (GOP) has quickly and effectively responded to the outbreak of COVID-19, using an internationally and nationally coordinated, data-driven approach to contain the spread of the virus [7]. Contracting companies, engineering and consulting offices have been affected by the Corona pandemic in the Gaza Strip, where projects have stopped due to the curfew during the last period, and contracting companies do not have many options to overcome the difficult state and most companies, whether large or small and medium, have suffered losses as a result of the Corona pandemic.
In conjunction with the onset of the Corona pandemic, the Palestinian economy witness a decline in (GDP), most economic activities witness a significant decline; in addition the construction sector witnessed the highest rate of decline in the Gaza Strip, which is approximately 21% as a result of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip [8]. In addition, construction sector suffers some problems such as: many companies and factories stopped a large number of layoffs, accumulation of debts and taxes on factory owners and companies, high unemployment and poverty index as a result of the closure, and direct and indirect losses to the construction industry sector in Gaza strip. In General, construction industries in Palestine have been adversely affected by COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to have an impact on the contracting and engineering companies in particular during the coming period. The construction ecosystem and the nature of its work activities pose a risk in the transmission of communicable diseases if occupational and public health measures are not in place [9].
Several researchers have studied the effects of COVID-19 on the construction industry. Gan

Research Methodology
The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of the COVID-19 con- where: n: sample size from finite population. n': sample size from infinite population, which can be calculated from this formula.
N: total population (contracting and engineering companies). S 2 : standard error variance of population elements, S 2 = P (1 − P); maximum at P = 0.5.
V: standard error of sample population equal 0.05 for the confidence level 95%, t = 1.96.

Characteristics of the Population
The total number of questionnaires distributed was 80 and the number of respondents was 60 with a response rate of 75%. The distribution of respondents according to position is 51.7% of the respondents who are: head of the company, 26.7% manager of company, while 21.7% site manager, regarding to education 53.3% had a bachelor degree, 40.0% had a higher education, regarding to experience 31.7% had experience from 5 to 10 years, 23.3% had experience from 16 to 20 years. About 47.0% of the company in Gaza governments because it the center of Gaza Strip, 21.7% in Northern Governments, while 15.0% in Southern Governments, regarding to classification of company 35.0% of the company classified second, 37.7% classified first (A and B), 18.3% third grade and more, regarding to average budget of project in the construction sector 31.7% had project with budgeting more than one million, while 28.3% with budget from 250 to 500 thousand Dollar, 35.0% of the company had two projects implemented, as shown in Table 1.

Current Situation of the Contracting and Engineering Companies
Results from Table 2 indicated that "is the companies striving to reduce workrelated injuries at its sites" was the highest factor form this question with percentage 96.7% of the respondents companies. This is an indication that the contracting & engineering companies avoid injuring one of the workers and thus avoid disrupting work inside the companies and provide a safe work environment. According the results about the current situation of the contracting & engineering companies, 55.0% of respondents companies have workers ever been exposed to Corona virus while working on the project, 53.3% of the respondents companies sponsored the worker's monthly salary when return to work, 78.3% of the respondents companies have a written safety policy, while 65% of the respondents companies conduct periodic safety meetings to prevent the virus, and  to not having enough budget to hire a safety supervisor in the company and to reduce the financial burden on the company.

The Challenges Facing the Contracting & Engineering Companies due to the COVID-19
Results from Table 4 indicated that "provide a safe work environment' was the first rank from challenges with weighted mean 81.4%. This is an indication that this factor is the most important factor. It is due to several reasons, including: contracting companies is not considered safety as priority in their planning and low safety culture in their companies. The results also revealed that "lack of awareness among workers" and "develop contingency plans" in second rank with weighted mean 80.4%, as the awareness among workers and contingency plans plays an important factors in reducing the risks during the implementation of the projects. In addition, this contingency plan is represented by an integrated work team and has the necessary knowledge in all aspects to formulate strict instruction to organize, work and mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic.
While the last rank was "establish incentives and rewards for those committed to prevention measures" with weighted mean 70.4%. This is an indication that  procedures become less and also the movement becomes stronger and the implementation is faster, so this factor is considered one of the factors, and therefore that plays an important procedure in the continuation of projects. In addition, the decision of taking vaccine affects their health and the health of their families. Therefore, each of them must take responsibility and take the initiative on his own in order to preserve the safety of his family and the safety of his colleagues.

Procedures Taken to Mitigate the Impact of the COVID-19
Also, 57.0% agree with reducing marketing expenditures, 55.4% agree with reducing costs overall, 50.6% agree with finding alternative sources of supplies and products, 50.0% agree with seeking financial support from financial institutions. The last factor from procedures is "wage reduction/layoffs" with weighted mean 47.0%. This is an indication that this factor in not important to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19. This is an indication that the contracting companies saving the dignity of the workers, because there is no alternative sources of income for the workers and to reduce the unemployment and the exploitation of the wages of workers in the construction sector.

Conclusion
In conclusion, this article has investigated and assessed the impact of pandemic COVID-19 on the contracting and engineering companies in the Gaza Strip. COVID-19 pandemic affected all segments of the population and all economic sectors. Palestinian companies striving to reduce work-related injuries, Based on previous result obtained from questionnaire survey, it was clear from the results that some practice should be improved and the following strategies are recommended: the engineering companies must prioritize the safety and health of employees through take vaccine and establish incentives and rewards for those committed to prevention measures. Moreover, government agencies in reducing taxes imposed on implementing agencies for construction sector projects. Enhance effective community participation in educating the Palestinian community about the seriousness of the outbreak of the novel corona virus and work to prevent it. On the other hands, the workers should receive the necessary treatment and support from contracting and engineering companies to void the impact of COVID-19.