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Reasons for Low Protection of Vulnerable Workers from COVID-19—Results from the Quantitative and Qualitative Study on Working Life in Latvia

Author

Listed:
  • Linda Matisāne

    (Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia)

  • Linda Paegle

    (Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia)

  • Maija Eglīte

    (Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia)

  • Lāsma Akūlova

    (Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia)

  • Asnate Anna Linde

    (Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia)

  • Ivars Vanadziņš

    (Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema 16, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia)

  • Iveta Mietule

    (Research Institute for Business and Social Processes, Rēzekne Academy of Technologies, Atbrivosanas Alley 115, LV-4601 Rezekne, Latvia)

  • Jeļena Lonska

    (Research Institute for Business and Social Processes, Rēzekne Academy of Technologies, Atbrivosanas Alley 115, LV-4601 Rezekne, Latvia)

  • Lienīte Litavniece

    (Research Institute for Business and Social Processes, Rēzekne Academy of Technologies, Atbrivosanas Alley 115, LV-4601 Rezekne, Latvia)

  • Iluta Arbidāne

    (Research Institute for Business and Social Processes, Rēzekne Academy of Technologies, Atbrivosanas Alley 115, LV-4601 Rezekne, Latvia)

  • Sarmīte Rozentāle

    (Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities Research, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Cesu Street 4, LV-4201 Valmiera, Latvia)

  • Ieva Grīntāle

    (Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities Research, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Cesu Street 4, LV-4201 Valmiera, Latvia)

Abstract

Several individual factors like older age and chronic diseases have been linked with more severe symptoms often leading to hospitalization and higher mortality from COVID-19. Part of adults with such factors is still active in the workforce. The objective of the study was to identify measures taken by the employer to protect them and to investigate reasons for low protection of vulnerable workers during the 1st wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Answers from 1000 workers collected via web-survey and results from 10 focus group discussions were analyzed. Only 31.5% of respondents mentioned that their employer had identified existing vulnerable groups and offered specific measures to protect them. Moving vulnerable workers away from the workplace was the most frequent measure (e.g., transfer to the back-office without contact with clients, telework, paid vacations, paid downtime). Most employers do not see elderly workers and workers with chronic diseases as risk groups, thus are not specifically protecting them. Instead, several employers have included workers critical for business continuity in their risk group. Others had not taken measures because of the lack of information due to general data protection regulation. Poor communication and lack of interest of employers to ask their workers if they need special protection is the topic to be addressed at the national level.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda Matisāne & Linda Paegle & Maija Eglīte & Lāsma Akūlova & Asnate Anna Linde & Ivars Vanadziņš & Iveta Mietule & Jeļena Lonska & Lienīte Litavniece & Iluta Arbidāne & Sarmīte Rozentāle & Ieva Grīn, 2021. "Reasons for Low Protection of Vulnerable Workers from COVID-19—Results from the Quantitative and Qualitative Study on Working Life in Latvia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-20, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:10:p:5188-:d:553978
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Veruscka Leso & Luca Fontana & Ivo Iavicoli, 2021. "Susceptibility to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Occupational Settings: The Complex Interplay between Individual and Workplace Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-16, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Adriana López-Pineda & Irene Carrillo & Aurora Mula & Sofia Guerra-Paiva & Reinhard Strametz & Susanna Tella & Kris Vanhaecht & Massimiliano Panella & Bojana Knezevic & Marius-Ionut Ungureanu & Einav , 2022. "Strategies for the Psychological Support of the Healthcare Workforce during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The ERNST Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Katarzyna Rostek & Michał Wiśniewski & Witold Skomra, 2022. "Analysis and Evaluation of Business Continuity Measures Employed in Critical Infrastructure during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-22, November.
    3. Linda Matisāne & Lāsma Akūlova & Linda Paegle & Monta Matisāne & Ivars Vanadziņš, 2024. "The Experience and Perception of Occupational Health and Safety Expert Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Qualitative Study Among Latvian Occupational Health and Safety Experts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-13, November.
    4. Linda Matisāne & Linda Paegle & Lāsma Akūlova & Ivars Vanadziņš, 2021. "Challenges for Workplace Risk Assessment in Home Offices—Results from a Qualitative Descriptive Study on Working Life during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Latvia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-19, October.

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