Safeguarding the rights and welfare of the health-care workers amid the pandemic: a social protection approach
International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare
ISSN: 2056-4902
Article publication date: 27 September 2021
Issue publication date: 5 July 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the elements of social protection, namely, the labour market policy (working conditions), social insurance and social assistance from the law and policy standpoints to safeguard the rights and welfare of the frontline health-care workers (HCWs).
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies both doctrinal and non-doctrinal research methods with the legal and authoritative approaches by integrating the three elements of social protections, which are working conditions, insurance protection and social assistance for the protection of HCWs.
Findings
A pragmatic approach to the social protection system by integrating these elements can safeguard the rights and welfare of the frontline HCWs amid the pandemic. This approach should be made effective for the sustainability of the HCW and health industry in Malaysia.
Practical implications
This paper highlights the significance of initiating and empowering ad hoc approaches through the social protection system for the practical and effective protection of frontline HCWs who are the backbone of the nation, in the event of pandemic COVID-19. These practical needs and approaches are pivotal in response to HCWs demands in workplace.
Originality/value
While social protection commonly aims to address disadvantaged groups and to combat poverty, this research adopts the social protection approach with the aims to safeguard the rights and welfare of frontline HCWs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia (MoHE) through the Post-COVID-19 Special Research Grant (Research ID 10008864/SO Code 14696). Also thank you to the Research and Innovation Management Centre of Universiti Utara Malaysia for the support.
Conflict of interest: Authors declare that there is no potential conflict of interest in the research.
Citation
Abdul Wahab, H., Abdul Rahim, A. and Abdullah, N.A. (2023), "Safeguarding the rights and welfare of the health-care workers amid the pandemic: a social protection approach", International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 264-276. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-05-2021-0120
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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