The occupational health and safety vulnerability of recent immigrants accessing settlement services

Abstract

This study uses a novel multi-dimensional measure to identify how differences in workplace context place recent immigrant workers at increased risk of work-related injury or illness. Recent immigrant workers experience increased risk of OHS vulnerability. In particular, this vulnerability results from exposure to hazards in combination with inadequate levels of empowerment to protect themselves in the workplace. Policy-makers, advocates, and employers should implement strategies that not only build workplaces where occupational hazards are minimized but also ensure immigrant workers are empowered to act on their workplace rights and engaged to improve workplace safety.

Occupational Health and Safety Vulnerability of Recent Immigrants and Refugees

“…In defining the vulnerability of immigrant workers, the majority of studies in the OHS literature focus on the migration and socio-demographic factors (e.g., immigration status, race, language) or on the occupation/industries in which they typically work [ 22 , 25 , 26 , 39 , 40 ]. However, workplace context is being increasingly recognized as a modifiable driving factor of OHS vulnerability [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. Moyce and Schenker [ 41 ], in their recent review of research on the OHS of migrant workers, suggested that unregulated and unsafe working conditions (e.g., physical hazards, lack of safety practices) play a role in increasing the risk of injuries.…”

“…OHS vulnerability framework led to the development of a measure to define more accurately which workers are vulnerable to work injury and illness. In a quantitative study comparing these dimensions of OHS vulnerability between recent Canadian immigrants and workers born in Canada, Lay and colleagues [ 45 ] observed that recent immigrants were more likely to experience exposure to work hazards, less likely to access to protective policy and procedures in the workplace and were less empowered to participate in injury prevention in their workplace (e.g., through voicing safety concerns).…”

“…However, the exact mechanisms that lead to these differences in dimensions of OHS vulnerability between recent immigrants and Canadian-born workers are not fully understood. For example, Lay and colleagues [ 45 ] suggested that immigrant workers experience higher levels of policy and procedure vulnerability. Lack of access to workplace protections may be a result of recent immigrants’ precarious work status (e.g., casual work, short contracts), but it could be also due to their lack of awareness of their rights in the host country.…”

Overlapping vulnerabilities in workers of the electronics recycling industry formal sector: A commentary

“…17,18 Workers in situations of vulnerability are disproportionately employed by small businesses in industries and jobs that expose them to high levels of biological, chemical, musculoskeletal, and psychosocial hazards. [19][20][21][22] They also may not fully know their rights and responsibilities regarding their occupational health and safety or how to exercise them. 23 Even when they do know their rights, they can be trapped in situations where they overlook safety measures or fail to report an incident to maintain production levels, especially for fear of reprisals.…”

“…15,24,25 For instance, immigrant or racial/ethnic minority workers are commonly referred to as vulnerable workers because they frequently find themselves disproportionately in precarious jobs. 19,21,[26][27][28] They can be overqualified 24 and may face language or cultural barriers that make them less likely to seek compensation and medical assistance. 29,30 2 | DISCUSSION…”