Risky work: Accidents among Nepalese migrant workers in Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Nepal is a growing supplier of migrant labour for factories in Malaysia and building sites in the Middle East. This study assessed the extent of workplace accidents among Nepalese migrant workers in Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Methododology:A questionnaire survey was conducted at Nepal's main international airport with men who returned from working in Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was completed by 403 migrant workers from these three countries. Where possible the questionnaire was self-administered and interview-administered for those migrant workers with poor literacy skills. A logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with accidents at work and health risks perceived by migrant workers themselves. Results:One in six (17%) experienced accidents at work in their host country. This proportion is lower than that reported in previous studies of Nepali migrant workers. Age, country of work, doctor registration and perceived standard of work environment and accommodation are significantly associated with accidents at work. Conclusion:To help improve Nepalese men's health and well-being whilst working abroad, host countries and the Government of Nepal should ensure that migrants hold health insurance. Mandatory pre-departure and arrival health and safety training is also recommended as a way to reduce risks to the health of migrant workers.

Health and well-being issues of Nepalese migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Malaysia: a systematic review

“…A total of 33 papers were included in the review among them 12 studies were conducted in Qatar, 12–23 8 in Malaysia, 24–31 9 in Nepal, 5 7 32–38 2 in Saudi Arabia, 39 40 1 each in UAE 41 and Kuwait, 42 respectively. Two study included all GCC countries and Malaysia, 7 38 another two study included Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia 32 33 and further two included in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE 5 34 ( table 1 ). The study design varied across the studies; the review included 13 retrospective analysis of routine healthcare data 7 12–15 18 20 25 35 37 39 40 42 and 18 cross-sectional studies.…”

“…Adhikary et al reported that around one-fifth (17%) of migrant workers had experienced work related accidents. 32 Poor working environment and not being registered with a doctor was associated with a greater perceived health risk at the work place. Another study reported that over a quarter (27.9%) of migrant workers had experienced occupational injuries: more than half (52%) of these workers fell from a height, 20% had injuries due to fall of a heavy object, 17% had motor vehicle accident injuries, 5% had machinery injuries and remaining 5% had other work related injuries.…”

“…Five studies (one high and four moderate quality) focused on labour migrants’ healthcare access issues and the number of Nepalese workers in these studies ranged between 20 and 942, respectively. 5 7 32 37 38 Adhikary et al 32 reported that workers who were not registered with a doctor had poor health outcomes compared with those who were registered. Another study also reported that only 36.5% workers had access to health insurance and about half (48.7%) did not have paid sick leave during their health problems.…”

“… 15 20 32 35 36 39 Only three of these focused solely on Nepalese migrants, and none compared occupation or working conditions with morbidity and mortality experienced. 32 35 36 This a crucial gap in the literature and further studies are needed to guide policy change. There has been widespread media coverage of the poor working conditions faced by Nepalese migrant workers and health impacts of these conditions are highlighted by the plight of manual labourers working for the forthcoming 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup.…”

Safety Awareness of Workers for Construction Sites in Nepal

“…Sample size and Sampling procedure forty six (46) subjects formed an ideal sample size for the study, for a population running into forty six, the sample size should be 50%, the researcher therefore aimed at least for 50% subjects in each group as reflected in table (1). The registered contractors of infrastructures construction companies is categorized in groups from I to II according to capacity limited by the value of work in of millions of shillings, beginning from category I and II.…”