Main Article Content

Abstract

This paper analyses eligibility criteria in der realms of public and social assistance programs under targeting benefits governance to enable third-country immigrants work protection and poverty reduction in Austria, Finland, and the Czech Republic's COVID-19 era. Existing research pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic social disorder that confronts policymakers under intense budgetary pressure and increasing out-of-work population to shift on assisting the unemployed from universal to selective targeting benefits that stress public resources distribution on a measure of financial need to the poor instead of unlimited transfer to the entire population as social rights. However, targeting governance is imperative to challenges in terms of equity and efficiency. Based on a qualitative cross-national case-oriented research approach, documents are collected and analyzed with documents and content analysis techniques to fill the gap. The findings indicate that conditional age segmentation, legislative behavioral requirement, and functional impairment regulative tools influence targeting welfare benefits eligibility governance with a lack of solidarity and transparency that may impair public and social assistance to manage third-country immigrants' work protection and poverty reduction in COVID-19 era settings. However, the comparative entities' determination of targeting benefits level differs in Austria (regional), Finland (national), and Czechia (national). The outcome indicates a new paternalism and reciprocity approach in times of austere redistributive politics. It is relevant because it reflects enabling state neo-liberal social protection system, which not only heightens means-tested selectivity and targets individual responsibilities but tactfully raises the eligibility threshold that may undermine minority group's belongings and social cohesion, participatory democracy, and equitable development in COVID-19 era.

Keywords

Targeting benefits eligibility criteria immigrants poverty reduction public and social assistance

Article Details

How to Cite
Esien, E. B. (2022). Targeting Benefits Governance and Eligibility Criteria for Work Protection and Poverty Reduction Policy Process in COVID-19 era. Ilomata International Journal of Social Science, 3(3), 277-302. https://doi.org/10.52728/ijss.v3i3.519

References

  1. Ariely, D. (2010). Predictability Irrational: The Hidden Forces that Shape Our Decisions (2nd ed.). Harper Perennial. https://www.amazon.com/Predictably-Irrational-Revised-Expanded-Decisions/dp/0061353248
  2. Atkinson, A. (1987). Income Maintenance and Social Insurance. In A. J. Auerbach & M. Feldstein (Eds.), Handbook of Public Economics (1st ed., pp. 779–908). Elsevier B.V. https://econpapers.repec.org/bookchap/eeepubchp/2-13.htm
  3. Banks, L. M., Walsham, M., Neupane, S., Neupane, S., Pradhananga, Y., Maharjan, M., Blanchet, K., & Kuper, H. (2019). Access to Social Protection Among People with Disabilities: Mixed Methods Research from Tanahun, Nepal. The European Journal of Development Research, 31(4), 929–956. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-019-0194-3
  4. Bitrán, R., & Giedion, U. (2003). Waivers and Exemptions for Health Services in Developing Countries (No. 0308; Social Protection Discussion Paper Series). https://web.worldbank.org/archive/website01506/web/images/0308.pdf
  5. Coady, D., Grosh, M., & Hoddinott, J. (2004). Targeting of transfers in developing countries: Review of lessons and experience (No. 30230; Reconstruction and Development). https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/14902/302300PAPER0Targeting0of0transfers.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
  6. Desai, R. M. (2017). Rethinking the universalism versus targeting debate. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/future-development/2017/05/31/rethinking-the-universalism-versus-targeting-debate/
  7. Devereux, S. (2016). Is targeting ethical? Global Social Policy, 16(2), 166–181. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468018116643849
  8. Devereux, S., Lintelo, D. J. H. te, & Sabates-Wheeler, R. (2015). Evaluating the Targeting Effectiveness of Social Transfers: A Literature Review (No. 460; Development Studies). https://www.ids.ac.uk/publications/evaluating-the-targeting-effectiveness-of-social-transfers-a-literature-review/
  9. Devereux, S., & Sabates-Wheeler, R. (2004). Transformative social protection (No. 232; Social Protection). https://www.ids.ac.uk/download.php?file=files/dmfile/Wp232.pdf
  10. Esien, E. B. (2019). Principal-Agent Relation and Contracting-out for Employment Case Management to Enable Third-Country Nationals’ Transition to Work. NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy, 12(2), 9–28. https://doi.org/10.2478/nispa-2019-0012
  11. Esien, E. B. (2020). Decision Making, Interest Intermediation, and Value: In Government, Public, and Private Agencies Corporatism for Work Promotion. DANUBE Journal of Government, 11(4), 324–342. https://doi.org/10.2478/danb-2020-0019
  12. Esien, E. B. (2021). Contractual obligation, Individual autonomy, and Sanction in Targeting Benefits for Third-country Nationals’ Work Promotion in Austria, Finland, and Czech Republic. In F. Tilbe & E. Heikkilä (Eds.), Work and Migration: Case studies from Around the World (1st ed., p. 177). Transnational Press. https://www.tplondon.com/product/work-migration-cases/
  13. Esien, E. B. (2022). Transnational Network and Information Flow in African Refugees and Undocumented Migrants’ International Migration Process. Ilomata International Journal of Social Science, 3(2), 117–132. https://doi.org/10.52728/ijss.v3i2.465
  14. EUR-Lex. (2006). Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Border Code). (p. 77). European Parliament and Council. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32016R0399
  15. Fellowes, M. C., & Rowe, G. (2004). Politics and the New American Welfare States. American Journal of Political Science, 48(2), 362. https://doi.org/10.2307/1519888
  16. Fink, M., & Valkova, K. (2018). ESPN Thematic Report on Challenges in long-term care. https://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=19837&langId=en
  17. Fiszbein, A., Schady, N., Ferreira, F. H. G., Grosh, M., Kelleher, N., Olinto, P., & Skoufias, E. (2009). Conditional cash transfer: a World Bank policy research report. https://files.givewell.org/files/DWDA 2009/Cash Transfers/Fiszbein and Schady.pdf
  18. Fung, A., & Wright, E. O. (2001). Deepening Democracy: Innovations in Empowered Participatory Governance. Politics & Society, 29(1), 5–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032329201029001002
  19. García-Jaramillo, S., & Miranti, R. (2015). Effectiveness of targeting in social protection programsaimed to children: lessons for a post-2015 agenda. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000232421
  20. Gilbert, N. (2002). Transformation of the Welfare State. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/0195140745.001.0001
  21. Gugushvili, D., & Hirsch, D. (2014). Means-Testing or Universalism: What strategies best address poverty? (A review contributing to Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s development of an anti-poverty strategy. https://www.lboro.ac.uk/media/wwwlboroacuk/content/crsp/downloads/reports/Means testing or Universalism_Final Report.pdf
  22. Hantrais, L. (2009). International comparative research : theory, methods and practice (1st ed.). Palgrave Macmillan US. https://www.worldcat.org/title/international-comparative-research-theory-methods-and-practice/oclc/237885662
  23. Heise, M., & Meyer, W. (2004). The benefits of education, training and skills from an individual life-course perspective with a particular focus on life-course and biographical research (No. 54; Impact of Education and Training). https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/BgR3_Heise.pdf
  24. Hero, R. E., & Tolbert, C. J. (1996). A Racial/Ethnic Diversity Interpretation of Politics and Policy in the States of the U.S. American Journal of Political Science, 40(3), 851. https://doi.org/10.2307/2111798
  25. Hill, K. Q., & Leighley, J. E. (1992). The Policy Consequences of Class Bias in State Electorates. American Journal of Political Science, 36(2), 351. https://doi.org/10.2307/2111481
  26. Hume-Nixon, M., & Kuper, H. (2018). The association between malnutrition and childhood disability in low- and middle- income countries: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 23(11), 1158–1175. https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.13139
  27. Jacques, O., & Noël, A. (2021). Targeting within universalism. Journal of European Social Policy, 31(1), 15–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/0958928720918973
  28. Jhabvala, R., & Standing, G. (2010). Targeting to the “Poor”: Clogged Pipes and Bureaucratic Blinkers. Economic and Political Weekly, 45(26–27), 239–246. https://www.epw.in/journal/2010/26-27/special-articles/targeting-poor-clogged-pipes-and-bureaucratic-blinkers.html
  29. Kalužná, D. (2008). Main Features of the Public Employment Service in the Czech Republic. https://doi.org/10.1787/230150403603
  30. Kangas, O. E. (1995). Attitudes on Means-Tested Social Benefits in Finland. Acta Sociologica, 38(4), 299–310. https://doi.org/10.1177/000169939503800402
  31. Khumalo, P. (2013). The dynamics of poverty and poverty alleviation in South Africa. Gender and Behaviour, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.10520
  32. Kidd, S. (2017). Social exclusion and access to social protection schemes. Journal of Development Effectiveness, 9(2), 212–244. https://doi.org/10.1080/19439342.2017.1305982
  33. Kidd, S., & Athias, D. (2020). Hit and Miss: An assessment of targeting effectiveness in social protection with additional analysis. https://www.developmentpathways.co.uk/publications/hit-and-miss-an-assessment-of-targeting-effectiveness-in-social-protection/
  34. Lamnek, S. (2016). Qualitative Sozialforschung. Beltz Verlagsgrupper. https://www.beltz.de/fachmedien/psychologie/online_material/qualitative_sozialforschung.html
  35. Lavallée, E., Olivier, A., Doumer, L. P., & Robilliard, A.-S. (2010). Poverty Alleviation Policy Targeting: A Review of Experiences in Developing Countries. https://dial.ird.fr/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2010-10-Poverty-alleviation-policy-targeting-a-review-of-experiences-in-developing-countries.pdf
  36. Lor, P. J. (2014). Revitalizing comparative library and information science: theory and metatheory. Journal of Documentation, 70(1), 25–51. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-10-2012-0129
  37. Maquet, I., Maestri, V., & Thévenot, C. (2016). The coverage rate of income support measures in the EU Measurement and challenges (No. 02). https://doi.org/10.2767/098751
  38. Martín, M. P. M. (2008). Reshaping Welfare States and Activation Regimes in Europe. Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, 14(2), 373–376. https://doi.org/10.1177/102425890801400218
  39. Matsaganis, M., Ozdemir, E., & Ward, T. (2014). The coverage rate of social benefits (9/2013; Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion). https://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=11523&langId=en
  40. Maynard, R. A. (1997). Paternalism, Teenager Pregnancy Prevention, and Teenage Parent Service. In L. Mead (Ed.), The New Paternalism: Supervisory Approaches to Poverty (1st ed., pp. 89–129). Brookings Institution Press. https://librarysearch.lse.ac.uk/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=44LSE_VU1&tab=default_tab&docid=44LSE_ALMA_DS21134259600002021&lang=en_US&context=L&query=sub,exact, United States -- Social policy -- 1993-,AND&mode=advanced
  41. Mead, L. (1986). Beyond Entitlement: The Social Obligations of Citizenship (1st ed.). Free Press Publishing. https://search.library.uq.edu.au/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=61UQ&docid=61UQ_ALMA2188999260003131&lang=en_US&context=L
  42. Mitchell, R. (1999). Community-based rehabilitation: the generalized model. Disability and Rehabilitation, 21(10–11), 522–528. https://doi.org/10.1080/096382899297369
  43. Mitra, S. (2005). Disability and Social Safety Nets in Developing Countries (No. 0509; Social Safety Nets Primer Notes). https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/11783/333710SSNPrimerNote21.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
  44. Mitra, S. (2018). Disability, Health and Human Development. Palgrave Macmillan US. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53638-9
  45. Mitra, S., Palmer, M., Kim, H., Mont, D., & Groce, N. (2017). Extra costs of living with a disability: A review and agenda for research. Disability and Health Journal, 10(4), 475–484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2017.04.007
  46. Mitra, S., Posarac, A., & Vick, B. (2013). Disability and Poverty in Developing Countries: A Multidimensional Study. World Development, 41, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2012.05.024
  47. Mkandawire, T. (2005). Targeting and Universalism in Poverty Reduction (No. 23; Social Policy and Development). https://doi.org/10.1.1.579.9254
  48. Murray, C. A. (1984). Losing ground : American social policy, 1950-1980 (1st ed.). Basic Books Publishing. https://www.worldcat.org/title/losing-ground-american-social-policy-1950-1980/oclc/11192370
  49. Nelson, K. (2007). Universalism versus targeting: The vulnerability of social insurance and means-tested minimum income protection in 18 countries, 1990-2002. International Social Security Review, 60(1), 33–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-246X.2007.00259.x
  50. Ragin, C. C. (1987). The Comparative Method: Moving Beyond Qualitative and Quantitative Strategies. University of California Press. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/j.ctt1pnx57
  51. Rohwerder, B. (2014). Disability inclusion in social protection. http://www.gsdrc.org/docs/open/hdq1069.pdf
  52. Saikkonen, P., & Ylikännö, M. (2020). Is There Room for Targeting within Universalism? Finnish Social Assistance Recipients as Social Citizens. Social Inclusion, 8(1), 145–154. https://doi.org/10.17645/si.v8i1.2521
  53. Saloojee, G., Phohole, M., Saloojee, H., & IJsselmuiden, C. (2007). Unmet health, welfare and educational needs of disabled children in an impoverished South African peri-urban township. Child: Care, Health and Development, 33(3), 230–235. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2006.00645.x
  54. Schneider, M., Waliuya, W., Munsanje, J., & Swartz, L. (2011). Reflections on Including Disability in Social Protection Programmes. IDS Bulletin, 42(6), 38–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1759-5436.2011.00271.x
  55. Serrano-Pascual, A. (2003). The European strategy for youth employment: a discursive analysis. In Young people and contradictions of inclusionTowards Integrated Transition Policies in Europe (pp. 85–104). Policy Press. https://doi.org/10.1332/policypress/9781861345547.003.0005
  56. Serrano-Pascual, A. (2007). Activation Regimes in Europe: A Clustering Exercise. In A. Serrano-Pascual & L. Magnusson (Eds.), Reshaping Welfare States: Activation Regimes in Europe (1st ed., pp. 275–316). Peter Lang S.A. Editions Scientifiques Internatuonales. https://books.google.co.id/books/about/Reshaping_Welfare_States_and_Activation.html?id=X0gPbkRM9zkC&redir_esc=y
  57. Slater, R., & Farrington, J. (2009). Targeting of Social Transfers: A review for DFID. http://cdn-odi-production.s3.amazonaws.com/media/documents/5494.pdf
  58. Social Security History. (2022). Otto von Bismarck: German Chancellor 1862-1890. SSA History Archives. https://www.ssa.gov/history/ottob.html
  59. Song, M. (2020). Rethinking minority status and ‘visibility.’ Comparative Migration Studies, 8(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40878-019-0162-2
  60. Spicker, P. (2005). Targeting, residual welfare and related concepts: modes of operation in public policy. Public Administration, 83(2), 345–365. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0033-3298.2005.00453.x
  61. Standing, G. (2011). Behavioural conditionality: why the nudges must be stopped – an opinion piece. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 19(1), 27–38. https://doi.org/10.1332/175982711X559136
  62. Tweedie, J. (1994). Resources Rather than Needs: A State-Centered Model of Welfare Policymaking. American Journal of Political Science, 38(3), 651. https://doi.org/10.2307/2111601
  63. UNDP. (2019). Human Development Report 2019. https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents//hdr2019pdf.pdf
  64. United Nations. (2004). Human Rights and Poverty Reduction: A Conceptual Framework. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Publications/PovertyReductionen.pdf
  65. United Nations. (2015). Rights of persons with disabilities. https://undocs.org/en/A/70/297
  66. United Nations Human Rights. (2022). Convention on the Rigjts of Persons with Disabilities (p. 5). United Nations. https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.html
  67. White, H. (2017). Effective targeting of social programmes: an overview of issues. Journal of Development Effectiveness, 9(2), 145–161. https://doi.org/10.1080/19439342.2017.1317282
  68. Whiteford, G. (2003). Occupational deprivation: understanding limited participation. In C. H. Christiansen & E. A. Townsend (Eds.), Introduction to occupation: the art and science of living: new multidisciplinary perspectives for understanding human occupation as a central feature of individual experience and social organisation (2nd ed., pp. 303–328). Pearson. https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/publications/occupational-deprivation-understanding-limited-participation
  69. Yin, R. K. (2012). Case Study Research. Design and Methods (4th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23279888