International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 16, Issue 22, 2019

Occupational health and safety of immigrant workers in italy and spain: A scoping review (Review) (Open Access)

Arici C.* , Ronda-Pérez E. , Tamhid T. , Absekava K. , Porru S.
  • a Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Occupational Health, University of Verona, Verona, 37134, Italy, University Research Center “Integrated Models for Prevention and Protection in Environmental and Occupational Health”, Universities of Verona, Brescia and Milano Bicocca, Verona, 37134, Italy
  • b Public Health Research Group, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, 03690, Spain, Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, 28029, Spain
  • c Postgraduate School of Occupational Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, 37134, Italy
  • d Postgraduate School of Occupational Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, 37134, Italy
  • e Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Occupational Health, University of Verona, Verona, 37134, Italy, University Research Center “Integrated Models for Prevention and Protection in Environmental and Occupational Health”, Universities of Verona, Brescia and Milano Bicocca, Verona, 37134, Italy

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. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

Italy Economic crisis Occupational health and safety Spain Occupational diseases Migrant workers Occupational injuries Working conditions Review

Index Keywords

economic status methodology health risk mental health human work environment qualitative research migrant worker health impact racism workplace Spain occupational exposure general condition deterioration risk factor occupational safety Review prevalence health and safety health care access Italy occupational health quantitative analysis occupational hazard econometrics
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85074943906&doi=10.3390%2fijerph16224416&partnerID=40&md5=8f7be1dc1e9f1b4214af606c0c614ac3
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16224416
ISSN: 16617827
Original Language: English