Non-standard workers' perceptions of Malaysia’s social security programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with its unprecedented economic and livelihood challenges, has had unparalleled repercussions on non-standard workers worldwide. To cushion the impact of COVID-19 on workers and employment, several measures were implemented by the Malaysian government. H...

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Main Authors: Jaiyeoba, Haruna Babatunde, Fernando, Yudi, Moha Asri, Abdullah, Zuraidah, Mohd Sanusi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Penerbit Universiti Malaysia Pahang 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/44256/
http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/44256/1/Non_standard%20workers%20perceptions%20of%20Malaysia.pdf
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author Jaiyeoba, Haruna Babatunde
Fernando, Yudi
Moha Asri, Abdullah
Zuraidah, Mohd Sanusi
author_facet Jaiyeoba, Haruna Babatunde
Fernando, Yudi
Moha Asri, Abdullah
Zuraidah, Mohd Sanusi
author_sort Jaiyeoba, Haruna Babatunde
building UMP Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with its unprecedented economic and livelihood challenges, has had unparalleled repercussions on non-standard workers worldwide. To cushion the impact of COVID-19 on workers and employment, several measures were implemented by the Malaysian government. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that these measures largely focused on those in standard employment. Accordingly, this study explores non-standard workers’ perceptions of Malaysia’s social security programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research adopts a qualitative design, with data collected from nine non-standard workers and analysed using thematic analysis. The results reveal that non-standard workers experienced job losses, financial strain, significant income reductions, and challenges in accessing government assistance during COVID-19. The findings also indicate that this group did not benefit as equally as standard workers from the government’s emergency social measures, such as wage subsidies, financial aid, and other pandemic-related programmes. While financial aid and special grants for micro-businesses provided short-term relief, many non-standard workers believe the government could have done more. Additionally, the government’s social security programmes were found to promote social cohesion and contribute to a more unified society. Overall, the findings underscore the need for inclusive and adaptable social security frameworks that address the unique needs of non-standard workers, particularly in times of crisis.
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spelling ump-442562025-04-07T03:27:32Z http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/44256/ Non-standard workers' perceptions of Malaysia’s social security programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic Jaiyeoba, Haruna Babatunde Fernando, Yudi Moha Asri, Abdullah Zuraidah, Mohd Sanusi HD Industries. Land use. Labor The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with its unprecedented economic and livelihood challenges, has had unparalleled repercussions on non-standard workers worldwide. To cushion the impact of COVID-19 on workers and employment, several measures were implemented by the Malaysian government. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that these measures largely focused on those in standard employment. Accordingly, this study explores non-standard workers’ perceptions of Malaysia’s social security programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research adopts a qualitative design, with data collected from nine non-standard workers and analysed using thematic analysis. The results reveal that non-standard workers experienced job losses, financial strain, significant income reductions, and challenges in accessing government assistance during COVID-19. The findings also indicate that this group did not benefit as equally as standard workers from the government’s emergency social measures, such as wage subsidies, financial aid, and other pandemic-related programmes. While financial aid and special grants for micro-businesses provided short-term relief, many non-standard workers believe the government could have done more. Additionally, the government’s social security programmes were found to promote social cohesion and contribute to a more unified society. Overall, the findings underscore the need for inclusive and adaptable social security frameworks that address the unique needs of non-standard workers, particularly in times of crisis. Penerbit Universiti Malaysia Pahang 2024-12-30 Article PeerReviewed pdf en cc_by_nc_4 http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/44256/1/Non_standard%20workers%20perceptions%20of%20Malaysia.pdf Jaiyeoba, Haruna Babatunde and Fernando, Yudi and Moha Asri, Abdullah and Zuraidah, Mohd Sanusi (2024) Non-standard workers' perceptions of Malaysia’s social security programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Governance & Integrity, 7 (2). 820 -831. ISSN 2600-7479. (Published) https://doi.org/10.15282/jgi.7.2.2024.11338 https://doi.org/10.15282/jgi.7.2.2024.11338
spellingShingle HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Jaiyeoba, Haruna Babatunde
Fernando, Yudi
Moha Asri, Abdullah
Zuraidah, Mohd Sanusi
Non-standard workers' perceptions of Malaysia’s social security programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic
title Non-standard workers' perceptions of Malaysia’s social security programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic
title_full Non-standard workers' perceptions of Malaysia’s social security programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic
title_fullStr Non-standard workers' perceptions of Malaysia’s social security programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic
title_full_unstemmed Non-standard workers' perceptions of Malaysia’s social security programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic
title_short Non-standard workers' perceptions of Malaysia’s social security programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic
title_sort non-standard workers' perceptions of malaysia’s social security programmes during the covid-19 pandemic
topic HD Industries. Land use. Labor
url http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/44256/
http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/44256/
http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/44256/
http://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/44256/1/Non_standard%20workers%20perceptions%20of%20Malaysia.pdf