• Title/Summary/Keyword: Migrant workers

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Occupational Characteristics and Health Status of Vietnamese Male Migrant Workers in the Republic of Korea

  • Ohwi Kwon;Ji-Hun Song;Jeong-Ok Kong;Seong-Won Ma;Young Shin Lee;Joonho Ahn
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.14 no.3
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    • pp.267-271
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    • 2023
  • Background: The objective of this study is to identify the working conditions and health status of Vietnamese male migrant workers in Republic of Korea, in comparison to the Korean general population. Methods: We conducted our survey through the Migrant People Center, and we received completed questionnaires from 87 male Vietnamese migrant workers. The questionnaire employed was identical to those used in the Korean Working Conditions Survey and the 2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The collected data from the Vietnamese migrant workers was then compared with the Korean reference population using indirect age-standardization. Results: Vietnamese male workers demonstrated a higher prevalence of health problems including hearing problems (age-standardized prevalence ratio (aSPR) 13.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.07-20.4), skin problems (aSPR 13.49, 95% CI: 8.07-20.4), and low back pain (aSPR 8.40, 95% CI: 6.50-10.69). Elevated exposure to workplace hazards such as chemicals (aSPR 2.36, 95% CI: 1.51-3.51), organic solvents (aSPR 2.22, 95% CI: 1.44-3.28), handling of heavy objects (aSPR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.24-2.21), and high temperatures (aSPR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.46-2.57) was observed among them. Additionally, they faced a higher risk of no personal protective equipment (aSPR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.26-4.52) and a greater prevalence of unmet medical needs (aSPR 7.14, 95% CI: 4.74-10.32). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the elevated workplace hazards, health problems, and unmet medical needs among Vietnamese male workers compared to the Korean reference population. These findings underscores the urgency for enhanced scrutiny over working conditions and protective equipment provision, coupled with efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and worker education.

The Occupational Health and Safety of Migrant Workers and the Migrantisation of Risk: A Case Study of the UK Construction Industry (이주노동자의 산업안전보건과 위험의 이주화: 영국 건설업 사례를 중심으로)

  • Julia Jiwon Shin;Junho Chae
    • Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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    • v.27 no.1
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    • pp.18-37
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    • 2024
  • This study examines migrant workers' occupational health and safety issues through a case study of the UK construction industry, focusing on structural vulnerabilities. Migrant workers are at the bottom of the hierarchically fragmented labour market, performing outsourced hazardous work. Structural vulnerability focuses on the social structures that create hierarchies and increase risk in the workplace, rather than on individual responsibility or 'cultural' differences of migrant workers. The study considers the structural factors that perpetuate the migrantisation of risk in the UK construction industry, focusing on the structural necessity of low-wage migrant labour, precarious employment and the legal status of migrant workers, and discusses how these three factors interact to increase migrant workers' vulnerability to health and safety. The migrantisation of risk is not only a matter of occupational health and safety or universal workers' compensation, but also of the intertwining of labour migration policies with employment structures that rely on low-wage, low-skilled labour. This calls for proactive measures to address structural risks that go beyond passive declaratory policies that do not exclude migrant workers from education, training or legal systems.

Support System on the Occupational Safety and Health for Migrant Workers (외국인 근로자의 산업안전보건 지원체계)

  • Song, Yeon Yi;Kim, Hee Girl;Yi, Ggodme;Jung, Hye Sun;Kim, Hyun Li;Hyun, Hye Jin;Kim, Jeong Hee
    • Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.67-77
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    • 2007
  • Purpose: To provide concretely for support system to occupational health management grasped the present condition about the private support organizations for the migrant workers. Method: The subjects were 30 organizations to support migrant workers with the healthy and medical problem. The organizations were investigated by the internet search, and the visiting and telephone interview. Then a expert advisory conference and researchers' regular meeting were held. Result: The support organizations for the migrant workers played multiple activities, but the medical treatment and education regarding the occupational safety & health were scarcely accomplished. The government constructs a network between the organizations. A health problem of a worker should be requested to the medical centers which cooperated with the private support organizations, it makes business expand to the existing organizations which take charge of the health business of a small-scale workplace rather than it constitutes new organizations. The organizations which can manage which build the online network which can grasp all the information concerning the migrant worker from whom the government became a principal axis. Conclusion: Support system on the occupational safety and health for migrant workers that it will be help to the occupational disease prevention and occupational safety and health management, is needed.

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Structural Equation Modeling of Health Promotion Behavior on Migrant Workers: A Multi-Group Analysis Based on the Period of Residence (외국인 근로자의 건강증진행위 구조모형: 거주기간별 다중집단분석)

  • Jeong, Hanna;Kim, Youngsuk
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.54 no.1
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    • pp.73-92
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    • 2024
  • Purpose: This study developed and tested a hypothetical model of health promotion behavior on migrant workers based on the Health Promotion Model and the Health Literacy Skills Framework. Methods: Data were collected from 298 migrant workers in 9 regions across the country from December 2020 to March 2021. The exogenous variables were e-health literacy, occupational stress, acculturation, and social support. The endogenous variables were perceived benefits of action, self-efficacy, and health promotion behavior. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25.0, AMOS 20.0, and R-4.0.3 program. Results: The model fit was appropriate. Social support had the most significant direct impact on the health promotion behavior of migrant workers. Perceived benefits of action and self-efficacy played a mediating role in the relationship among e-health literacy, social support, and health promotion behavior. Based on multi-group analysis, the migrant worker group with less than 5 years of residency had a more statistically significant effect on the relationship between perceived benefits of action and health promotion behavior than those with over 5 years. Conclusion: Providing social support as a critical administrative strategy to enhance the health promotion behavior of migrant workers is necessary. Furthermore, when developing an intervention program utilizing the internal mechanism between social support and health promotion behavior, a self-efficacy-enhancing strategy is considered to be more effective. Additionally, educating migrant workers with short-term residence of less than 5 years about the benefits of health behaviors is essential.

Adaptation of Foreign Migrant Workers to the Korean Society through Taekwondo (외국인 이주노동자의 태권도를 통한 한국사회 적응)

  • Baik, Seon-A;Lim, Tae-Seoung
    • 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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    • v.54 no.5
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    • pp.705-716
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    • 2015
  • The purpose of this research is to explore the role of Taekwondo in foreign migrant workers' adaptation process in Korean society, based on segmented assimilation concept by Portes & Zhou(1993) as a theoretical framework. In order to achieve this, an in-depth interview of 13 foreign migrant workers in Gyeonggi-region was carried out by using purpose sampling and theoretical sampling together, and the interview was analyzed using grounded theory method. The analysis result demonstrated that foreign migrant workers understand Korean culture, learn Korean, and interact with Koreans through Taekwondo, which facilitates their acculturation into the mainstream society. Also, they were assimilated into their own subculture of being fascinated by the charms of Taekwondo and trying to become Taekwondo instructors by returning to their home country. Lastly, they built a social network and overcame tough labor and the difficulties of living in a foreign country through Taekwondo. This research is significant as it examined the role of Taekwondo that preserves Korean culture and checked its value, in terms of the adaptation of foreign migrant workers who take a part in the current rearrangement of Korean society into a multicultural society.

A Statistical Study on Industrial Accidents in Migrant Workers in Seoul and Kyungin Area (서울·경인지역 일부 외국인 근로자들의 산업재해에 관한 통계조사)

  • Hwang, Seong Ho;Kim, Hae Seong;Lee, Sun Hee;Paik, Nam Won
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.17-26
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    • 2006
  • In order to obtain basic reference information for the establishment of effective industrial safety programmes in migrant workers who live in Seoul and Kyungin Area, accident causes were investigated among 210 injured workers. The data were analyzed according to the USA Standards Institute and International Labour Organization method. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The major distribution of national were mostly from china(82.9%), ages are mostly between 30 and 40 years old(32%), and males are more than females, and mostly married. 2. The parts of body most frequently injured were hand and finger, foot and toe, which were 55.3% of total 210 cases. 3. According to the accident type, caught in, under or between were most frequently observed, 40.2% of the total number of injuries. 4. The most responsible source of injuries were power machine, others, moving machine and tool, building construction. 5. According to the unsafe acts, carelessness and unsafety information were most frequently observed, 66.7% of the total number of injuries. 6. There were significantly difference(p<0.05), between type of accident and source of injury, and between working period and unsafe act.

Information Literacy Gap of Migrant Workers in the Multicultural Society (다문화사회의 이주노동자의 정보리터러시 격차)

  • Lee, Soo-Sang;Jang, Im-Sook
    • Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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    • v.41 no.3
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    • pp.391-419
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    • 2010
  • The purpose of this study is to investigate the factor that brings about information literacy gap by comparing and analyzing the group with high level and not so high level information literacy for migrant workers and to seek policy to clear the information literacy gap. To accomplish such purpose, the author found the operation of various factors that bring about information literacy gap through in-depth interview of migrant workers and working level NGO staff. The result of interview revealed that information literacy gap of migrant workers is generated by the complex operation of personal characteristics, technical factor, social and economical factor, government policy factor and so on.

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Migrant Workers' Quality of Life Related to Health (이주노동자의 건강관련 삶의 질)

  • Kim, Shin-Jeong;Lee, Soon-Hee;Kim, Sook-Young;Kim, Aee-Lee;Park, Hyun-Tae;Lee, Young-Joo
    • Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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    • v.20 no.5
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    • pp.791-803
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    • 2008
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study was to collect basic data in the quality of life related to health in migrant workers. Methods: Data from 133 migrant workers was collected from August to December 2007 using a questionnaire from two free clinics located in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. The data was scored by mean and standard deviation. Differences were evaluated according to the subjects' general characteristics by the t-test and the ANOVA test. The relationships in the quality of life related to health between the 9 sub-scales were evaluated by the Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: 1) Total average score of migrant workers' quality of life related to overall health is $61.09{\pm}13.68$. The score of the quality of life related to physical health is $64.39{\pm}15.21$ and the quality of life related to mental health is $57.80{\pm}16.18$. 2) With respect to the general characteristics of subjects, the quality of life related to health was significantly different in age(F=3.852, p=.013), especially in physical health(F=6.868, p=.000). 3) The relationship between physical health and mental health was significant(r=.663, p=.000). Conclusion: Program development to improve quality of life related to health for migrant workers is needed.

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Construction Process of Gender in the Biographies of Migrant Women -Based on the Biographies of the Korean female Migrant Workers in Germany- (이주여성의 생애사에 재현된 젠더의 구성과정 -재독한인여성의 생애사를 중심으로-)

  • Yang, Yeung-Ja
    • Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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    • v.64 no.2
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    • pp.325-354
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    • 2012
  • The current research intends to analyse the construction process of gender in the biographies of migrant women. Ten autobiographical-narrative interviews with Korean female migrant workers in Germany were conducted and the following conclusions were ascertained through the analysis of Schutze's autobiographical-narrative interview: The genders in their biographies were constructed similar before their marriage, but different after their marriage according to the work-family balanced type and the family centered type. Before their migration the 'process of life' as female high school students and female workers showed that both types had partially deconstructed a sex-segregated gender. The process of life as female migrant workers after their migration showed that both types had partially constructed a sex-neutral gender. The process of life after their marriage exhibited that the former strengthened and strengthens a sex-neutral gender in a double position as female migrant workers and female marriage migrants, but the latter reconstructed a sex-segregated gender again and intensifies this in a process of time. Based on these results, some implications for the social work practice were addressed, which emerged from the understanding on the gender in the biographies of migrant women.

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The Characteristics and Medical Utilization of Migrant Workers (외국인 노동자의 특성과 의료이용 실태)

  • Ju, Sun Me
    • Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.164-176
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    • 1998
  • This study deals with the current medical utilization for migrant workers and the characteristics of them. The purpose of this study is to provide the basic information to establish proper medical policy. For the study self-made questionnaire was used, which was answered by 453 migrant workers working in the area of manufacturing and non-technical work in 10 cities like Seoul, Inchon, Namyangju, Sungnam, Kwangju, Pyungchon, Kunpo, Kimpo, Masuk in Kyungki-do and Chunan in Chungchungnam-do. Besides, 303 medical records of those who had visited free medical check-up center were analyzed. The period of accumulating data is 6 months, from November 1st, 1996 to April 30th, 1997. The characteristics of migrant workers and current medical utilization are analyzed by percentage and the relation between characteristics and current medical utilization were analyzed using ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA. The finding of this study was as follows : 1) The number of nationality was 16. The first majority was Philippians as 32.0%. Among 16 nationalities Southeastern and Northern Asians were 48.9%, Southwestern Asian was 46.5%, the rest was 7.3%. Men were 81.0%, those who are aged from 26 to 30 were 39.0%, Graduatee from high school 92.7%, Christians 56.3%, unmarried 55.4% and salary from 600,000 Won to 800,000 Won 53.8% averaging monthly payment 669,810 Won. As for their residence, those who resided over 3 years were 31.9% and the illegal residence reached 77.4%. As for Korean language, those who speak in middle level were 5.6%. 2) As for kind of work and circumstances, manufacturing was 81.1%, 4 off-days per month 72.2% and 9-10 working hours per day 42.1%. As for accommodation, residence in fabric was 62.6% and one or two members as roommate 40.2%. 3) The characteristics of health behavior showed that 89.4% of migrant workers had 3 meals, 70.9% of them did not drink alcohol, 73.5% of them did not smoke. 4) As a characteristic of health status, 71.8% of them perceived of their health. 76.1% thought that they had no illness before coming Korea. Among them who recognized their illness, those who had problem in circulatory system was 35.3%, respiratory system ENT 19.1% and nervous system 19.1%.66.2% of those having illness had already had sickness when coming to Korea. 5) During last one month, 79.2% of them were known as ones having no illness. Among the sick, those who had problem in circulatory system was 31.6%, nervous system 23.7% and respiratory system 21.1%. 60.3% of the sick were not cured at that time. 6) Sorting the symptom of those who visited free medical check up, dental care was 24.2%, orthopedic 14.0% and digestive system 13.8%. Teethache was 34.4%, stomach problem 11.6%, upper respiratory inflammation 10.2% and back pain 5.9%. Averagely they visited free medical check up 1-2 times. According to symptom, epilepsy 25.5 times, heart and vascular disease 9 times, constipation 2.8%, neurosis 2.38 times and stomach problem 2.34 times. 7) The most frequently visited medical service by migrant workers was hospital. The most mentioned reason was good healing as 36.3%. The medical service satisfied migrant workers mostly was hospital as 64.3%. The reason of satisfaction was also good healing as 45.9%. 8) 77.2% of respondents did not spend money for medical check. Average monthly medical cost was 25,100 Won, 3.7% of income. Those who had no medical security was 73.4%. In their case, 67.7% got discount from hospital or support from working place and religious organization. 9) As for the difference of medical utilization according for the characteristics of migrant workers, legal workers and no-Korean speaker used hospital more frequently. 10) Those who were satisfied most of all with the service of hospital were female workers, hinduists and buddhists, legal workers or manufacture workers. 11) Christians, those who have 3 meals or recognize themselves as healthy ones mostly had no illness. As a result, the most of migrant workers in Korea are from Asia. They are good educated but are working in manufacturing and illegal. Their average income is under 700,000 Won which in not enough for medical cost. They have no medical security and medical fee is supported by religious organization or discounted. Considering these facts the medical policy by government is to be established.

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