Humanities and Social Science Research

“Leased” Workers in the EU and in Greece

Eleni D. Rompoti — 2023-09-03

This article is a literature review on the practice of workers “leased” through Temporary Work Agencies (TWAs). Reference is made to their main features, the institutional framework regarding the protection of these workers as well as the impact that this practice has on the workers. The next section is a presentation of the reasons that lead to the under- or over-estimation of the actual number of workers “leased” through TWAs. The empirical research is presented next, which was conducted about the workers “leased” through TWAS, based on secondary data of the Eurostat’s Labor Force Survey (LFS). The numbers of “leased” workers in the EU-15 during the period of the financial crisis, 2007-2018, is mentioned. The sectors employing the highest numbers of workers “leased” through TWAs and the demographics of the workers are detailed. In addition, two atypical forms of work are described. These two are temporary and part-time employment in the EU-15 during the period of the financial crisis and onwards, based on the most recent data available from Eurostat, from 2007-2022.

Social Housing and its Bearing on the Tenants’ Social Mobility

Andrew Azzopardi — 2023-10-25

The objective of the paper is to conceptualise how social housing impacts the life of tenants and how it affects their social mobility.

Firstly, the paper looks at defining social housing to helps us get a better understanding of the subject matter. It highlights that social housing is a residential rental space provided at specific rates to be afforded by those who are considered vulnerable in society. It is a tool to improve the lives of those in vulnerable positions due to poverty, disability and mental issues to mention just a few. Children who live and grow up in stable social housing will have a better chance at accessing education, their wellbeing will be more positive, increased job prospects and a better outlook on opportunities.

Secondly, the paper addressed the impacts social housing has and its effects on social mobility for tenants. It discusses how income plays a vital role in obtaining social housing, how the wellbeing of tenants is essential in fostering a better self, how individuals who live in social housing can come together and form communities to deter crime, how living in safe social housing can impact positively effect on mental health, how it encourages tenants to find work and how it helps children strive for better and manage to break the cycle of poverty. However, notwithstanding the positive, social housing is not perfect and if not taken care of and is not funded properly then it could be a detriment to tenants’ social mobility.

Methodology

Desk research was carried out to identify an in-depth understanding of the topic. Apart from this, key experts from the Faculty for Social Wellbeing shared their expertise through various informal discussions.

Forum Kewaspadaan Dini Masyarakat (FKDM) as a Strategy Instrument for Countering Radicalism and Extremism in North Purwokerto District, Banyumas Regency, Indonesia

Nuriyeni Kartika Bintarsari — 2023-10-27

Objective: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Forum Kewaspadaan Dini Masyarakat (FKDM) as a strategic instrument for countering radicalism and extremism in North Purwokerto District, Banyumas Regency, Indonesia.

Methods: Utilizing a qualitative research approach, the study engaged in thorough observations and active involvement with various stakeholders. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis, supported by in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).

Findings: The study found that FKDM demonstrates a strong commitment to mitigating the risks associated with radicalism and extremism. However, it faces key challenges, including insufficient budget allocations and difficulties in coordinating among multiple agencies.

Conclusions: The study concludes that while FKDM shows promise as a tool for countering radicalism and extremism, successful implementation requires sufficient resource allocation and effective inter-agency collaboration. The findings contribute to the limited body of research on the operational efficiency of FKDM in specific regional settings and offer insights for policy-making.

Institutional Trust in Times of Corona

Erik Snel — 2023-11-08

During the corona pandemic, governments of all countries appealed strongly to the trust of their populations by implementing drastic social and economic measures to prevent the spread of the virus. This study seeks to understand mechanisms that influence the level of institutional trust at the time of the corona pandemic. We are specifically interested in how three explanatory factors (socioeconomic status, experienced economic insecurity and dissatisfaction with the implemented corona policies) can, in mutual association, explain differences in institutional trust. This study is based on data from a large-scale panel survey on the social impact of COVID-19, carried out by Kieskompas research agency (N=22,696). Using a serial mediation analysis, we show that SES has both a direct and indirect effect on the level of institutional trust. People with higher SES experience less economic insecurity and have less dissatisfaction with the corona policies and, partly as a result of this, stronger institutional trust. It is also true that economic insecurity increases dissatisfaction with the corona policies and, partly as a result of this, weakens the level of trust.