IMPACT OF OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS ON EMPLOYMENT INJURY PROTECTION SCHEMES: EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN’S TEXTILE INDUSTRY

Abstract

This research aims to explore the interconnection between self-awareness of risk factors associated with work-related health problems, perception of organizational policies, and perceived barriers to safe and healthy worker behaviors amongst the textile workers of Pakistan. More particularly, it investigates the moderating role of perceived severity of conditions and the moderation role of COVID-19 measures compliance to these relationships. Self- A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 290 employees of different textile factories in Pakistan. In the case of awareness of occupational hazards, the perceived severity of conditions fully mediates the relationship between awareness and worker health outcomes and between perceived organization policy and worker health outcomes. Further, COVID-19 measures substantially enhance the positive inclination between perceived severity and health outcomes. From a theoretical standpoint, the study adopts the Health Belief Model to develop propositions about occupational health and safety. It supports the model's use in theorizing workplace OH&S practice while emphasizing the importance of implementing evidence-based OH&S interventions and OH&S protocols and procedures. Lastly, this research discusses the limitations and suggests a further study to analyze the dynamics between integrative supply chain sustainability and competitive advantage in diverse industrial and geographic contexts.