Undocumented Domestic Workers and Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Qualitative Study on the Impact of Preventive Measures

Abstract

This article describes the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) preventive measures on the undocumented migrant domestic workers in the Netherlands. Undocumented migrants (UDMs) are likely to experience inequalities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They rely on the informal market for work and housing and are usually not entitled to a healthcare insurance. However, they are not represented in the COVID-19 registrations or surveys. In order to advise the policymakers and healthcare professionals on how to tailor the preventive activities in handling a pandemic, including vaccination strategy, to the needs of this group, an insight into their experiences is needed. In our qualitative study, two focus group discussions were held with 14 UDMs, recruited through a snowball technique. The UDMs perceived the COVID-19 as a threat. Their precarious position affected their perceived vulnerability, which motivated them to seek information on and comply with preventive measures and testing. However, structural barriers decreased their self-efficacy and opportunity to comply. The COVID-19 measures impacted the lives of UDMs on essential domains, resulting in job, food, and housing insecurity, and increased barriers in access to healthcare. An intersectoral approach addressing health communication, access to healthcare, and social support, as well as legal rights for safe employment, is needed to alleviate the impact of the measures on UDMs.

Food Insecurity among International Migrants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

“…( Table 2 ). Thirty-five studies mainly or totally used the term “food insecurity” [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ], six used “food security” [ 25 , 30 , 32 , 63 , 64 , 65 ], and five used both [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ].…”

“…Among the 46 studies included in this scoping review [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ], half of them were conducted in America [ 28 , 29 , 31 , 33 , 40 , 42 , 43 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 <...…”

“…Ten studies did not specify the region of origin of the migrant population [ 30 , 37 , 46 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 56 , 58 , 59 ]. Seven studies presented a combination of migrants from different regions (including non-EU European countries) [ 29 , 34 , 35 , 55 , 57 , 60 , 68 ] ( Figure 3 ).…”

“…With regard to the categories of the migrant population, refugees and asylum seekers were studied in 20 papers [ 25 , 26 , 32 , 33 , 37 , 38 , 40 , 41 , 45 , 47 , 52 , 53 , 55 , 57 , 58 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ]. Migrant workers were presented in five papers [ 30 , 34 , 36 , 57 , 60 ], and three papers studied international students [ 39 , 56 , 66 ]. The sample in seven studies included migrant families [ 42 , 46 , 57 , 61 , 67 , 68 , 70 ], and five also included undocumented migrants [ 26 , 35 , 52 , 59 , 60 ].…”

Learning from the COVID-19 pandemic response to strengthen undocumented migrant-sensitive health systems: case studies from four countries

“…Finally, there was limited engagement of migrant communities and third sector actors, as key partners with knowledge, access and capacity to improve vaccination accessibility and uptake. 30 , 44 Their engagement was ad hoc and unsystematic, despite evidence that Community advocates and leaders along with locally active third sector actors are competent, credible and hence instrumental in designing, promoting, and supporting accessible migrant-sensitive services addressing both supply and demand side barriers through mobile clinics and translated, socio-culturally sensitive information. As such, they need to be systematically integrated in Plans as complementary implementation partners.…”