Psychosocial Working Conditions and Well-Being of Migrant Workers in Spain

Bretones, Francisco Díaz; Jain, Aditya; Leka, Stavroula; García-López, Pedro A.

doi:10.3390/ijerph17072547

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Few data are available on the health status of migrant workers in Europe, but previous studies in Nepal, Tanzania and Ethiopia have documented a low prevalence of HIV in migrant farm workers, low condom use, high risk of risky sex and high prevalence of malnutrition, and reinforce the need for screening for diseases related to a poor quality of work and life, which is strongly correlated with tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, and overwork illnesses, such as rickets, asthenia, muscle/fatigue pain and mental health illnesses [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-Wage Agricultural Migrant Workers in Apulian Ghettos, Italy: General Health Conditions Assessment and HIV Screening

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Approximately 500,000 migrants work in the agricultural sector in Italy. Many of them live in shantytowns, wrongly called “ghettos”, far away from city centers, with no water, proper hygienic conditions or health services. The aim of this study is to assess general health conditions and HIV prevalence by giving hygienic and sanitary sustenance. Methods: Between June 2019 and February 2020, we performed a screening campaign for HIV–diabetes–hypertension, involving migrants living in three Apulian establishments: ghetto Pista, “Sankara House” and “Arena House”. Results: Overall, 321 migrants were enrolled in the study. In the medical screening, one HIV test resulted positive. Hypertension was found in 12% of the migrants visited, diabetes in 2% and TB symptoms in 17%. Among others symptoms explored, muscle and joint pain/fatigue resulted in being the most frequent, and was reported by 34% of the migrants, followed by cough (10%). Significant predictors of muscle and joint pain/fatigue were: low BMI values (OR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.19–1.99), the absence of education (OR = 1.85; 95% CI 1.02–2.95), being employed with a regular contract (OR = 2.64; 95% CI 2.39–2.83) and living in the ghettos since >12 months (OR = 1.74; 95% CI 1.24–2.21). Conclusions: Our experience suggests that, in this population, the health condition is mainly linked to the specific working activities in the agricultural fields, as well as to the hygienic and living conditions, and that all of this is due to the lack of social protection in their life and job.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-Wage Agricultural Migrant Workers in Apulian Ghettos, Italy: General Health Conditions Assessment and HIV Screening

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Migrant workers typically have poorer social networks limiting opportunities to find work (Salvatore et al 2013 ). Migrant workers are more likely to work in unregulated sections of the labour market and are consequently exposed to social segregation and are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse (Alberti et al 2013 ; Bretones et al 2020 ; Thornley et al 2010 ).…”

Section: Characteristics Of International Migrants’ Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent research has highlighted the mental health and social well-being problems of migrant workers and shows that migrant workers are more likely to suffer from psychosocial problems and mental disorders than the native workers (Bretones et al 2020 ; Daly et al 2019 ; Liu et al 2020 ). These mental health problems include depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, chronic fatigue, and violence (Capasso et al 2018 ; Font et al 2012 ; Sole et al 2013 ).…”

Section: Occupational Health Outcomes For Migrant Workersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Migrant workers occupational health research: an OMEGA-NET working group position paper

Aktaş

Bergbom

Godderis

et al. 2021

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective The aims of the study were: (1) to clarify the definitions of “migrant” used in occupational health research; (2) to summarize migrant workers’ industry sectors, occupations and employment conditions; (3) to identify the occupational health and safety services available to migrant workers; (4) to summarize work-related health problems found among migrant workers; (5) to identify the methodological challenges to research into occupational health of migrant workers; and (6) to recommend improvements in migrant occupational health research. Methods This position paper was prepared by researchers from several European countries and Australia, working within the EU COST Action OMEGA-NET. The paper drew on two recent systematic reviews on the occupational health of international migrant workers and other literature, and also identified uncertainties and gaps in the research literature. Migrants may, for example, be temporary or permanent, moving for specific jobs migrants or other reasons. Their ethnicity and language capabilities will affect their work opportunities. Results The occupational health literature seldom adequately identifies the heterogeneity or characteristics of the migrant group being studied. Migrants tend to work in more physically and mentally demanding environments with higher exposures than native workers. Migrants tend to have an increased risk of physical and mental ill health, but less access to health care services. This has been demonstrated recently by high rates of COVID-19 and less access to health care. There have been a number of cross-sectional studies of migrant health but few long-term cohort studies were identified. Other study designs, such as registry-based studies, surveys and qualitative studies may complement cross-sectional studies. Mixed-methodology studies would be valuable in research on migrants’ occupational health. Language and lack of trust are barriers to migrant research participation. Conclusion Targeted research, especially longitudinal, identifying how these economically important but often-vulnerable workers can be best assisted is needed. Researchers should identify the characteristics of the migrant workers that they are studying including visa/migration circumstances (temporary, permanent, undocumented), racial and ethnic characteristics, existing skills and language abilities.

show abstract

“…It is worth noting that in host countries, they can also work in the informal economy. Previous literature has shown that migrant workers are exposed to social vulnerability, and this impacts physical, mental and psychosocial health indicators (Bretones et al., 2020; Ornek et al., 2020), increasing the risk of occupational injuries in the workplace (Arici et al., 2019; Hargreaves et al., 2019; Sterud et al., 2018). These conditions can become worse in specific groups, such as women (Sanchón‐Macias et al., 2016), people with undocumented status (Martinez et al., 2015), and those living in areas with high social deprivation (Kearns et al., 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A qualitative study of employment, working and health conditions among Venezuelan migrants in Colombia

Agudelo‐Suárez

Vargas-Valencia

Vahos‐Arias

et al. 2022

Health Social Care Comm

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study aims to explore the perceptions of the Venezuelan immigrant population in Medellín, Colombia, regarding their employment, working and health conditions (physical, mental and psychosocial). A qualitative study was conducted (focused ethnography perspective). Semi‐structured interviews were carried out with 31 Venezuelans and 12 key informants from different social organisations that work with the immigrant population. A narrative content analysis was carried out (Atlas.Ti 8.0 software). The migratory process for Venezuelans is caused for political, economical and social aspects in Venezuela and Colombia is offered as the first destination for labour establishing. Access to the labour market is limited to certain occupations, in many cases in the informal economy. Participants referring low salaries, working long hours and reduced social benefits. Occupational risks are evidenced by low experience in the labour market. Some health problems are perceived, and a good part of the interviewed population referred to signs and symptoms related to mental health problems. Barriers to access health and social protection services were found. Finally, future expectations depend on their adaptation to Colombia, the improvement of social conditions in Venezuela or having chances of improving their social and living conditions in another country. A high labour and social vulnerability were found in Venezuelan participants that impact on physical and mental health. Political and strategies from a public health perspective are required and the implementation of systems for monitoring and evaluating the labour and health situation in the working immigrant population.

show abstract

Psychosocial Working Conditions and Well-Being of Migrant Workers in Spain

Cited by 14 publications

References 37 publications

Low-Wage Agricultural Migrant Workers in Apulian Ghettos, Italy: General Health Conditions Assessment and HIV Screening

Low-Wage Agricultural Migrant Workers in Apulian Ghettos, Italy: General Health Conditions Assessment and HIV Screening

Migrant workers occupational health research: an OMEGA-NET working group position paper

A qualitative study of employment, working and health conditions among Venezuelan migrants in Colombia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About