Exploration roles and responsibilities of trade unions in preventing and responding to emergencies against epidemics: The case of COVID-19

Authors

  • Masoud Motalebi Gh, PhD
  • Elahe Ezati, PhD
  • Ali Asghar Farshad, PhD
  • Yahya Khosravi, PhD
  • Narmin Hassanzadeh-Rangi, PhD
  • Somayeh Karami
  • Mostafa Maleki, PhD Candidate
  • Mohammad Aligol, PhD https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8549-5791

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0751

Keywords:

trade unions, roles, responsibilities, pandemic, COVID-19

Abstract

Background and aim: The coronavirus disease 209 (COVID-19) pandemic has been affecting various strata of society including different guilds. Each of these segments has its role to play in controlling epidemics. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore trade unions’ roles and responsibilities in the prevention and emergency response to epidemic, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods: The present qualitative research was conducted using directed content analysis. Participants were selected by a purposeful sampling method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field notes and validated through Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) evaluative criteria. Data were analyzed by MAXQDA software.

Results: Data analysis, constant comparison, and class integration provided a total of seven main themes, which were extracted into four domains of Plan, Implementation, Review, and Action. The main themes were categorized into the dimensions of each domain, so that the Plan domain included three dimensions of union/guild contexts, leadership and staff participation, and planning. The Implementation domain included two dimensions of support and operations. The Assessment domain had a performance evaluation dimension, and the Action domain was made up of an improvement dimension.

Conclusion: Relying on their organizational and social capacities, trade unions can facilitate the leadership and participation of employees and communities for appropriate policies and making resilient decisions to control epidemics and other roles and responsibilities related to health.

 

Author Biographies

Masoud Motalebi Gh, PhD

Research Assistant Professor of Health Education and Promotion, Occupational Health Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Elahe Ezati, PhD

Health Education & Promotion, Occupational Health Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Ali Asghar Farshad, PhD

Professor of Occupational Health Engineering, Occupational Health Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Yahya Khosravi, PhD

Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Health, Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Research Center for Health, Safety and Environment, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

Narmin Hassanzadeh-Rangi, PhD

Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Health, Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Research Center for Health, Safety and Environment, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

Somayeh Karami

Master of Health Education & Promotion, Occupational Health Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Mostafa Maleki, PhD Candidate

Health Education and Promotion, Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Mohammad Aligol, PhD

Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran

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Published

02/28/2023

How to Cite

Gh, PhD, M. M., E. Ezati, PhD, A. A. Farshad, PhD, Y. Khosravi, PhD, N. Hassanzadeh-Rangi, PhD, S. Karami, M. Maleki, PhD Candidate, and M. Aligol, PhD. “Exploration Roles and Responsibilities of Trade Unions in Preventing and Responding to Emergencies Against Epidemics: The Case of COVID-19”. Journal of Emergency Management, vol. 21, no. 7, Feb. 2023, pp. 203-12, doi:10.5055/jem.0751.