Exploration roles and responsibilities of trade unions in preventing and responding to emergencies against epidemics: The case of COVID-19
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0751Keywords:
trade unions, roles, responsibilities, pandemic, COVID-19Abstract
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.
References
Le HT, Mai HT, Pham HQ, et al.: Feasibility of intersectoral collaboration in epidemic preparedness and response at grassroots levels in the threat of COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam. Front Public Health. 2020; 8: 648.
Ahsany F, Alamsyah AF, Al-Fatih S: Legal protection of labor rights during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. J Pembahruan Hukum. 2020; 7(2): 100-115.
Sundar KRS: COVID-19 and state failure: A double whammy for trade unions and labour rights. Ind J Labour Econ. 2020; 63(1): 97-103.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Parliament: Iran Guild System Law. Tehran 2013. Available at https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/94011. Accessed August 15, 2020.
World Health Organization: Milestones in Health Promotion: Statements from Global Conferences. World Health Organization, 2009. Report No.: 6161115336.
Munzhedzi PH: Analysing the application of governance principles in the management of COVID-19 in South Africa: Lessons for the future. Afr Public Serv Deli Perform Rev. 2021; 9(1): 490.
Sardarnia K, Jahedin Mohammadi S: Legal mechanisms of trade union interaction with the government and weak institutionalization of trade unions in Iran. Shiraz Univ Legal Stud J. 2015; 8(1): 57-83.
Rahimi F, Kazemi S: Investigating the role of marketers and guilds in managing the corona crisis. 3th International and National Conference on Management Studies, Accounting and law. Tehran 2020.
Standiford T, Shuman AG, Fessell D, et al.: Upholding the tripartite mission in times of crisis: Purpose and perseverance in the COVID-19 pandemic. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020; 163(1): 54-59.
International Labour Organization: A global trend analysis on the role of trade unions in times of COVID-19: A summary of key findings. 2021. Available at https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_dialogue/---actrav/documents/publication/wcms_767226.pdf. Accessed August 24, 2020.
Islamic Republic of Iran: Labor Law. 1980. Available at https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/99612. Accessed August 15, 2020.
Iran Guild Room: Coronavirus national staff approvals related to guilds. 2020. Available at https://otaghasnafeiran.ir/files/Radif8/2.pdf. Accessed August 22, 2020.
Warren MG, Weitz R, Kulis S: Physician satisfaction in a changing health care environment: The impact of challenges to professional autonomy, authority, and dominance. J Health Soc Behav. 1998; 39: 356-367.
Muraskin WA: The role of organized labor in combating the hepatitis B and aids epidemics: The fight for an Osha bloodborne pathogens standard. Int J Health Serv. 1995; 25(1): 129-152.
Brandl B: The cooperation between business organizations, trade unions, and the state during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comparative analysis of the nature of the tripartite relationship. Ind Relat J Econ Soc. 2022: 1-27. DOI: 10.1111/irel.12300.
Hsieh H-F, Shannon SE: Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qual Health Res. 2005; 15(9): 1277-1288.
Graneheim UH, Lundman B: Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: Concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trustworthiness. Nurs Educ Today. 2004; 24(2): 105-112.
Lincoln YS, Guba EG: Naturalistic Inquiry California. New York: Sage, 1985.
Braveman P, Gottlieb L: The social determinants of health: It’s time to consider the causes of the causes. Public Health Rep. 2014; 129 (Suppl. 2): 19-31.
Mittelmark MB: Promoting social responsibility for health: Health impact assessment and healthy public policy at the community level. Health Promot Int. 2001; 16(3): 269-274.
Raeymaeckers P, Dierckx D: To work or not to work? The role of the organisational context for social workers’ perceptions on activation. Br J Soc Work. 2013; 43(6): 1170-1189.
Domínguez DG, García D, Martínez DA, et al.: Leveraging the power of mutual aid, coalitions, leadership, and advocacy during COVID-19. Am Psychol. 2020; 75(7): 909-918.
Baker MG, Wilson N, Anglemyer A: Successful elimination of COVID-19 transmission in New Zealand. N Engl J Med. 2020; 383(8): E56.
International Organization for Standardization: Occupational Health and Safety ISO 45001. Geneva: ISO, 2018. Available at https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/store/en/PUB100427.pdf. Accessed August 24, 2020.
Hoek R: Responding to COVID-19 supply chain risks—Insights from supply chain change management, total cost of ownership and supplier segmentation theory. Logistics. 2020; 4(4): 23.
Panaitescu M, Renea P: Change management in tourism in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lucrari S&tail. 2020; 74: 156-161.
Atas¸ O, Yildirim TT: Evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and clinical education of dental students about COVID-19 pandemic. Peer J. 2020; 8: E9575.
Aznab M: Evaluation of COVID-19 infection in 279 cancer patients treated during a 90-day period in 2020 pandemic. Int J Clin Oncol. 2020; 25(9): 1581-1586.
Wong MC, Huang J, Teoh J, et al.: Evaluation on different nonpharmaceutical interventions during COVID-19 pandemic: An analysis of 139 countries. J Infect. 2020; 81(3): e70-e71.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright 2007-2023, Weston Medical Publishing, LLC and Journal of Emergency Management. All Rights Reserved
