Problems of subcontracted workers i̇n public hospitals: A photovoice-based evaluation

ABSTRACT With this study, the difficulties caused by working as a subcontractor in the public health sector were tried to convey their own experiences through photos by the participants taking part in this system. The goals achieved with this study, conducted using the Fotoses method, are aimed at attracting the attention of policy makers and contributing with solutions. When the literature is examined, there are not many thesis studies using the photoses method in this field. At the same time, it has been observed that there is not much work on subcontractors in the public health sector. With the study, it has been tried to contribute to the literature in a different way in this respect. In the research, 23 employees working as subcontractors in the public health sector used the shown method while sharing the photos they took and the meanings represented by the photos. This method makes it easier to describe the photos taken. According to the Shown method, the six guiding questions are as follows; what do you see here, what is really happening here, what is the relationship of this to our life, why does this situation exist, how can this photo educate others, what can we do about this situation. According to the progress of the process; how does this photo make you feel, what are your suggestions for solutions related to this experience, questions are also included. As a result of the study, the main themes such as insecurity, employee's work psychology, mobbing, long working hours, being a working woman \mother, non-unionization, low wages, workload, insufficient legal rights were reached with the photos and narration of the participants working as subcontractors in a public institution. Almost every participant states that they have encountered the psychology of worthlessness, fatigue, stress, feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, burnout in relation to business psychology. Especially in the subcontracting system of the public health sector, where there are more female employees, it is observed that the workforce has become feminized. It is believed that the reason for this is the use of certain characteristics attributed to women as a means of control, especially sensuality, submissiveness, benevolence, passivity and purity. It is understood that the subcontracting system, which is used very frequently in our country for the purpose of reducing cheap labor and public costs, has caused some problems as of its implementation. It can be said that this phenomenon, which was previously tried to be solved in the public sector, is still ongoing in the public health sector. Keywords: Subcontracting System, Health Sector, Workforce Feminization