scholarly journals Barriers to Prisoners’ Re-Entry into Formal and Informal Labour Market

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 479-495
Author(s):  
Taksaorn Phuchongpravech ◽  
Thanee Chaiwat

Aside from academics suggesting that low-physical-attractive prisoners may face difficulty reentering the labour market: permitting employers to access criminal history records aggravates the situation. The current study aims to alleviate this discrimination by generating more beauty premiums to prisoners through cosmetic surgery. The choice experiments (CEs) on hypothetical cosmetic surgery faces of 18 Thai male prisoners were conducted. In which every choice set, the respondents were required to make a tradeoff between beauty and criminal history records. The results show that cosmetic surgery generates beauty premiums to prisoners in both the formal and informal sectors with the odds ratio or increase of the utility of 1.75 and 1.754, respectively. Contrarily, the criminal history records result in discrimination to prisoners’ employments: decreasing job opportunities by 82.8% and 51% in the formal and informal sectors, respectively. The MWTP values show an additional salary to the cosmetic surgery groups for 2,600 baht approximately in both sectors. Besides contributing to the literature, the current study sheds light on the importance of physical appearance and criminal history records as one of the main barriers to prisoners’ re-entry. The findings could serve as new knowledge for policymakers to improve the success rate of prisoners’ reintegration.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
CHERYL HIU-KWAN CHUI ◽  
CHEE HON CHAN ◽  
YANTO CHANDRA

Abstract Policymakers have increasingly embraced social enterprises as a vehicle to create job opportunities for the disadvantaged. However, there is limited research on social enterprises in the context of disability in relation to labour market integration. Drawing on the perspectives of representatives of work integration social enterprises and people with disabilities employed in these enterprises (n=21), this study examines whether and how work integration social enterprises promote inclusion for people with disabilities, and also explores the role of WISEs in enabling people with disabilities to transition into open employment. Thematic analysis revealed three key emergent themes: Cocooned inclusion but not transition; Reinforced normative demarcation; and WISEs as a deflection from institutionalizing proactive disability policy measures. This article argues that, although WISEs were able to provide job opportunities for people with disabilities, their purported function in enabling disabled people to transition into open employment remains constrained by factors beyond their control including prevailing norms and the absence of proactive disability employment measures. This article cautions against the over-romanticisation of WISEs as the primary means to ensure the rights of people with disabilities to participate in the labour market. Implications on disability employment policies in relation to social enterprises are discussed.


Author(s):  
Fabiola Silvaggi ◽  
Michela Eigenmann ◽  
Chiara Scaratti ◽  
Erika Guastafierro ◽  
Claudia Toppo ◽  
...  

In recent decades, the number of people living with one or more chronic diseases has increased dramatically, affecting all sectors of society, particularly the labour market. Such an increase of people with chronic diseases combined with the aging of working population affects income levels and job opportunities, careers, social inclusion and working conditions. Both legislation and company regulations should take into account the difficulties that workers experiencing chronic diseases may face in order to be able to formulate innovative and person-centred responses to effectively manage this workforce while simultaneously ensuring employee wellbeing and continued employer productivity. The European Joint Action “CHRODIS PLUS: Implementing good practices for Chronic Diseases” supports European Union Member States in the implementation of new and innovative policies and practices for health promotion, diseases prevention and for promoting participation of people with chronic diseases in labour market. Therefore, a Toolbox for employment and chronic conditions has been developed and its aim is to improve work access and participation of people with chronic diseases and to support employers in implementing health promotion and chronic disease prevention activities in the workplace. The Toolbox consists of two independent instruments: the Training tool for managers and the Toolkit for workplaces that have been tested in different medium and large companies and working sectors in several European countries.


2010 ◽  
Vol 197 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrienne Rivlin ◽  
Keith Hawton ◽  
Lisa Marzano ◽  
Seena Fazel

BackgroundAlthough male prisoners are five times more likely to die by suicide than men of a similar age in the general population, the contribution of psychiatric disorders is not known.AimsTo investigate the association of psychiatric disorders with near-lethal suicide attempts in male prisoners.MethodA matched case–control study of 60 male prisoners who made near-lethal suicide attempts (cases) and 60 prisoners who had never carried out near-lethal suicide attempts in prison (controls) was conducted. Psychiatric disorders were identified with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), and information on sociodemographic characteristics and criminal history was gathered using a semi-structured interview.ResultsPsychiatric disorders were present in all cases and 62% of controls. Most current psychiatric disorders were associated with near-lethal suicide attempts, including major depression (odds ratio (OR) = 42.0, 95% CI 5.8–305), psychosis (OR = 15.0, 95% CI 2.0–113), anxiety disorders (OR = 6.0, 95% CI 2.3–15.5) and drug misuse (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.4). Lifetime psychiatric disorders associated with near-lethal attempts included recurrent depression and psychoses. Although cases were more likely than controls to meet criteria for antisocial personality disorder, the difference was not statistically significant. Comorbidity was also significantly more common among cases than controls for both current and lifetime disorders.ConclusionsIn male prisoners, psychiatric disorders, especially depression, psychosis, anxiety and drug misuse, are associated with near-lethal suicide attempts, and hence probably with suicide.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 653-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nhlanhla Cyril Mbatha ◽  
Joan Roodt

We began with the premise that South African recent migrants from rural to urban areas experience relatively lower rates of participation in formal labour markets compared to local residents in urban communities, and that these migrants are overrepresented in the informal labour market and in the unemployment sector. This means that rural to urban migrants are less likely than locals to be found in formal employment and more likely to be found in informal employment and among the unemployed. Using perspectives from Development Economics we explore the South African National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) panel datasets of 2008 and 2010, which only provide a perspective on what has happened between 2008 and 2010. We find that while migrants in general experience positive outcomes in informal labour markets, they also experience positive outcomes in formal markets, which is contrary to expectations. We also find that there are strong links between other indicators of performance in the labour market. Earned incomes are closely associated with migration decisions and educational qualifications (e.g. a matric certificate) for respondents between the ages of 30 and 60 years. The youth (15 to 30 years old) and senior respondents (over the age of 60) are the most disadvantaged in the labour market. The disadvantage is further reflected in lower earned incomes. This is the case even though the youth are most likely to migrate. We conclude that migration is motivated by both push (to seek employment) and pull (existing networks or marriage at destination) factors. For public policy, the emerging patterns – indicative and established – are important for informing strategies aimed at creating employment and developing skills for the unemployed, migrants and especially the youth. Similar policy strategies are embodied in the National Development Plan (NDP), the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS), etc.


2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 718-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarintip Tantanee ◽  
Phisut Apichayakul ◽  
Panu Buranajarukorn ◽  
Liwa Pardthaisong ◽  
Chanida Suwanprasit ◽  
...  

Research and Innovation (R&I) has played an important role in constructing new knowledge in higher education institutions (HEIs) worldwide. There are both enabler and barrier factors on R&I capabilities in HEIs; therefore, this paper aims to investigate the importance, current contexts and gaps in R&I capacity building of Thai HEIs and the possibilities for improvement. Thirteen policymakers from HEI’s Authorities and Research Funding Agencies were interviewed in-depth. In addition, an online survey has been conducted with 172 university academic staff, who have been involved in R&I. The results show that the majority of respondents agree that R&I is very important; however, these activities have not been clearly supported by national policies. From the suggestions for improvement, the whole R&I supporting system, from the national to the HEIs levels, should be developed and improved through policy, skill acquisition and job opportunities, research grants and enhancing national and international collaborations.


2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 977-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTINA WUEBBEKE

ABSTRACTIn several European countries, older unemployed people, after reaching a certain age, are entitled to unemployment benefit payments without having to seek new employment. The coexistence of this exemption clause and of reforms aimed at containing early retirement in the respective countries reflects a conflict of political aims – on the one hand, between an efficient labour-market policy at a time of high unemployment, and on the other hand, the goal of the comprehensive activation and labour-market integration of older workers as a response to demographic change. This paper deals with the reasons for the transfer of older long-term unemployed people on to ‘facilitated benefits’ for labour-market withdrawal in Germany. The empirical analysis shows that low or no propensity to work was rarely the motive for leaving the labour market; in particular, those anticipating a low retirement income actually wanted to be re-employed. The vast majority gave three reasons for the decision to retire: an inability to cope with requirements of available jobs; a lack of job opportunities; and an absence of proper support from the public employment agency. Thus the withdrawal of older long-term unemployed people into pre-retirement cannot be attributed to a utility-maximising decision in favour of leisure and against gainful employment, but is the primary result of the scarce re-employment prospects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-314
Author(s):  
Ghazal Khalid Siddique ◽  
Huma Lodhi ◽  
Muhammad Anwer ◽  
Muhammad Khalid Zubair

Traditional training system of TVET sector is focusing on traditional procedures of learning and is based on the numbering system. Such old fashioned procedures and the numbering system are producing certificate holders who do not have proper skills to complete the tasks independently in a professional manner as per the requirements of the industry. Traditional training is not paying focus on the competency oriented workforce in Pakistan. To meet rapid technological changes and need of modern era, the approach of the TVET sector is now shifting from traditional training to Competency Based Training (CBT). The purpose of this study is to make an innovative effort in the Pakistani context, identify the perceptions of employers and graduates about traditional training and CBT programs. This study falls in the interpretivism paradigm. Phenomenological research design was utilized to conduct this study. 10 TVET trainers, 10 TVET graduates of traditional training, 10 TVET graduates of CBT and 10 employers selected through convenient sampling. Semi structured interviews were conducted from employers, trainers and both types of graduates. Thematic analysis was used for to draw the results. Results showed that graduates of competency based training programs are more competent than that of traditional training program and the employers are comparatively more satisfied with graduates of the CBT program. TVET sector should develop the curriculum according to the current demand of the industry and implement the curriculum effectively by updating the labs for the TVET graduates for better job opportunities in the industry. It is also proposed that TVET sector should shift its educational institutes from traditional training to CBT approach to meet the needs of the labour market for employers’ satisfaction. Furthermore, research should be conducted to explore the challenges and their solutions of training provided in TVET sector and its assessment to meet the level of competency satisfaction to meet labour market needs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebenezer Lemven Wirba ◽  
Fiennasah Annif' Akem ◽  
Francis Menjo Baye

Cameroon’s informal labour market largely harbours female workers, engaged mainly in low-productivity and low-paying jobs. We investigate the sticky floor and glass ceiling phenomena in the informal labour market as a whole and across its segments. We use the 2010 Cameroon labour market survey, employing the recentred influence function and blending the Oaxaca-Ransom and Neuman-Oaxaca decomposition methods. The resulting framework enables us to account for selectivity bias at the mean, resolve the index number problem of the standard decomposition, and examine earnings differentials across the unconditional earnings distribution. We find compelling evidence of a sticky floor phenomenon in the informal labour market manifested essentially among wage earners. Returns to experience mitigate the gender earnings gap at the mean, and 10th and 50th percentiles of the unconditional earnings distribution. Female workers have an unambiguous human-capital-based advantage over their male counterparts at the mean, lower tail, and median of the distribution.


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