Changes in working conditions of employees of public organizations/institutions under the influence of measures introduced to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (covid-19)

Abstract

Problem setting. During the action of response to the epidemic in Ukraine in 2020 – 2021 [1-9], several additional rules, requirements, recommendations, restrictions on the behaviour by employees during to perform all or part of their work duties or to supply their services were introduced in the teams of enterprises, organizations, institutions, which significantly affected on the full implementation of labour and social rights established by international law, laws of Ukraine and collective agreements.
 The materials presented in the article highlight are some generalized results of the survey of representatives of trade unions and employees of state organizations/institutions on the questionnaire "Status of observance of workers' rights in the context of changes introduced to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)".
 Recent research and publications analysis. Noting the high interest of domestic and foreign scientists in the impact of coronavirus disease on various spheres of human life and society [13-15], special researches and materials of international organizations (ILO, WHO, OECD, etc.), it should be noted that the issue of workers' rights of the state organizations/institutions in the context of changes introduced to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease remain poorly described and poorly researched and little-understood subject.
 Highlighting previously unsettled parts of the general problem. The purpose of this article is to clarify the situation regarding changes in working conditions of employees of state organizations/institutions under the influence of measures introduced to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and substantiate the relevance of social dialogue as an effective tool for crisis management and increased protection of employees' rights workers of the state organizations/institutions and local governments in terms of COVID-19.
 Paper main body. The article highlight is some generalized results of the questionnaire survey conducted in April-May 2021 among employees of state organizations/institutions and representatives of their trade unions.
 The body of the text of the article reveals the idea and methodology of the questionnaire, reflects the assessments of employees of state organizations/institutions on employers' measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the state of affairs with the provider of individual and collective protection of employees in government organizations/institutions, the impact of measures to prevent the spread of COVID 19 on working conditions and the state of protection of workers' rights.
 According to the questionnaire results, the changes introduced as a result of COVID-19 led to an increase in the volume of work performed (40.0%), an increase in the complexity of work performed (45.5%), an increase in the duration of work performed (40.7%), a decrease in wages (17, 8%) employees.
 More than 52% of employees have faced and/or continue to face difficulties in adapting to the changes brought about by COVID-19: almost every tenth employee has personal difficulties in arranging a remote workplace (12.3%), mastering digital (online) work technologies (9.5%) etc.
 Most employees feel a lack and insufficient level of provision of labour protection measures by the administration of the organization/institution. And the incidence of coronavirus among employees of government organizations/ institutions is many times higher than the average incidence among the population of Ukraine (~ 5.3%) [20], and almost twice the incidence of COVID-19 among the adults' population in the country (~ 22%)) [21].
 At the same time, only 30.8% of representatives of state organizations/ institutions expressed readiness to be vaccinated against coronavirus soon, 29.4% - against vaccination, another 39.8% - were undecided. And this is even though the fact that currently, about 65% of Ukrainians are ready to be vaccinated against COVID [21].
 The results show a high level of psycho-emotional stress in which employees are due to long-standing fears for health (their own and family's) (38.9%), feelings of insecurity and anxiety (37.0%). Another 16.1% of workers are concerned about the decline in family income since the beginning of the pandemic and the deterioration of health (14.2%).
 Conclusions of the research and prospects for further studies. The pandemic of COVID-19 has caused unprecedented problems and caused drastic changes in the activities of government organizations/institutions and changes in working conditions. These changes strengthen the responsibility of employers of government organizations/institutions for continuous monitoring of the situation, timely identification and effective implementation of tasks to take appropriate measures to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces.
 The priority of our further research is the development of social dialogue between employers and trade unions as a mechanism for ensuring labour and socio-economic rights of employees of government organizations/institutions.