Occupational Health and Safety of Immigrant Workers in Italy and Spain: A Scoping Review

Cecilia Arici, Elena Ronda-Pérez, Tishad Tamhid, Katsiaryna Absekava and Stefano Porru
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Cecilia Arici: Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Occupational Health, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Elena Ronda-Pérez: Public Health Research Group, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690 Alicante, Spain
Tishad Tamhid: Postgraduate School of Occupational Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Katsiaryna Absekava: Postgraduate School of Occupational Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Stefano Porru: Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Occupational Health, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-32

Abstract: The main aim of the present study was to summarize the available literature on the topic of occupational health and safety (OH&S) among immigrant workers (IMWs) in Italy and Spain. We conducted a scoping review, searching Medline, Social Sciences Citation Index, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, SciELO, and EMBASE for peer-reviewed articles, published in English, Italian, or Spanish, between 1999–2018. 34 studies were included, 28 with quantitative methodology and 6 with qualitative. Main findings were that, compared to natives, IMWs in Italy and Spain showed higher prevalence of low-skilled jobs and of perceived discrimination at work; higher physical demands, poorer environmental working conditions, and more exposure to occupational risks (e.g., ergonomic and psychosocial hazards); a greater risk of occupational injuries; worse general and mental health; and a plausible worsening of their health status, especially in Spain, as a result of the economic crisis. The findings of the present scoping review constitute warning signs that indicate the need for a holistic global response to ensure that adverse OH&S outcomes among IMWs workers are improved and that equitable access to health care is guaranteed. Such a response will require a concrete and evidence-based approach to prevent and monitor occupational risk factors and associated outcomes in the workplaces.

Keywords: migrant workers; occupational health and safety; occupational diseases; occupational injuries; economic crisis; working conditions; review; Italy; Spain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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