Ivan Raj Ponnumsay Student No.3277216
Part 1
 Locate and read these two articles.
Article 1
Nadim W, AlOtaibi A, Al-Mohaimeed A, Ewid M, Sarhandi M, Saquib J, et al. Depression
among migrant workers in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. J Affect Disord. 2016 Dec; 206:103–8.
In order to locate the article above , from the black board I first clicked on → library
essentials → library home page → NEWCAT + Library catalogue → typed “Depression
among migrant workers in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia” in the search box → clicked on the
first link of the search results (Depression among migrant workers in Al-Qassim, Saudi
Arabia) → logged into UON library eResources access → saw the abstract of the article I was
looking for and read it → clicked on “check on full text availability” in order to read the
whole article → clicked on the first link of the webbridge page (ClinicalKey Australia Flex)
→ Got directed to this website
(https://www.sciencedirectcom.ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au/science/article/pii/S016503271630
6772?via%3Dihub) where I managed to gain access to the whole article .
Scope the article above
This article is about a study done in Saudi Arabia about mental disorders found in migrant
workers . Migrant workers make up a third of Saudi Arabia’s population but up till now, there
has been no data on depression even though mental disorders are a common illness found
amongst foreign workers.
The objective of the study was to conduct a survey on 400 migrant workers from the AlQassim region in Saudi Arabia and find out through various examinations and questionnaires
on whether the workers are showing signs or are suffering from depression.
The results of afore mentioned survey showed that fifth of the 400 workers (80) were
suffering from depression.
The limitations to of this study is that all the data collected were from one company and it
was only oriented around male workers.
In conclusion, depression is prevalent in migrant workers and a deeper study on a larger scale
is needed to be carried out by a recognised government authority to validate the findings (1).
Article 2
Noor NM, Shaker MN. Perceived workplace discrimination, coping and psychological
distress among unskilled Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. Int J Intercult Relat. 2017
Mar; 57:19–29.
In order to locate the article above , from the black board I first clicked on → library
essentials → library home page → NEWCAT + Library catalogue → typed “Perceived
workplace discrimination, coping and psychological distress among unskilled Indonesian
migrant workers in Malaysia” in the search box → clicked on the first link of the search
results (Perceived workplace discrimination, coping and psychological distress among
unskilled Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia) → logged into UON library eResources
access → saw the abstract of the article I was looking for and read it → clicked on “check on
full text availability” in order to read the whole article → clicked on the first link of the
webbridge page (ScienceDirect Freedom Collection) → Got directed to this website
(https://www-sciencedirectcom.ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0147176716302267?via%3Dihub )where I
managed to gain access to the whole article .
Scope the article above
This study is about the psychological distress unskilled foreign workers from Indonesia face
in Malaysia and how it is related to workplace discrimination. A survey involving 119
workers (80 female and 39 male) was carried out. Collected data results showed that
workplace discrimination was a key factor of the psychological distress. As a way to
overcome psychological distress, workers use different copping methods to deal with cultural
differences, long work hours, poor working conditions, poor pay and the insecure nature of
their work (2).
Article 3
Forced Flexibility and Exploitation: Experiences of Migrant Workers in the Cleaning
Industry Ollus , Natalia . Academic Journal | Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies.
Mar2016, Vol. 6 Issue 1, p25-45. 21p.
In order to locate the article above , from the black board I first clicked on → library
essentials → library home page → NEWCAT + Library catalogue → typed “experiences of
migrant workers in workplaces” in the search box → clicked on the first link of the search
results (Forced Flexibility and Exploitation: Experiences of Migrant Workers in the Cleaning
Industry) → logged into UON library eResources access → saw the abstract of the article I
was looking for and read it → clicked on “check on full text availability” in order to read the
whole article → Managed to gain access to the whole article .
Scope the article above
This a article about migrant workers who are in the cleaning line in Finland . Some of these
foreign workers has had some experience of being exploited whilst working . Interviews were
conducted with the workers in order to understand their problems and escalate their issues.
Data collected from this interviews showed that foreign workers go through various forms of
exploitation. Workers are forced into working in poor conditions without much choice in
order to cater to their employers needs. The article also highlights that certain regulations
pertaining to migrate workers, makes the exploitation of the foreign workforce possible and
this needs to be addressed to ensure that all workers are not misused (3).
Article 4
A survey of health problems of Nepalese female migrants workers in the Middle-East and
Malaysia Padam Simkhada1,2,3* , Edwin van Teijlingen2,3,4, Manju Gurung5 and Sharada
P. Wasti
Summary the article above
This study is about the health problems faced by female Nepalese foreign workers who are
working in the Middle-East and Malaysia . This study was conducted among 1010 women
ranging from 14 to 51 years old in a 5-year period between 2009 and 2014 . The results were
that , 24% of the female foreign workers suffered some form of medical problems .Fever,
server illness and accidents were among the most common health issues reported . Main
reason of these health issue are directly linked to exploitation (4).
Article 5
Occupational diseases and migrant workers’ compensation claiming in China: an unheeded
social risk in asymmetrical employment relationships Li Suna and Tao Liub a Faculty of
Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The
Netherlands; b Faculty of Sociology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
Summary of article above
As china continue to rapidly industrialise, migrant workers are increasingly at risk of
contracting occupational diseases . A questionnaire was carried out , asking migrant workers
about the compensation received from occupational diseases and Most workers were found to
have not received any form of legal compensation even through there a laws in place
regarding occupational diseases . In most cases , workers are talked into private settlement
behind close doors . Poor enforcements of laws on occupational diseases lead to continued
suffering and unjust treatment of migrant workers who are deprived of their rights and are
powerless in front of their employees who exploit them (5).
Part 2
1) The various effects and impacts of a foreign land and people on migrant
workers’ health?
Impacts from article 1
There are many health issues that migrant workers in Saudi Arabia have to endure . They
range from physical injuries to mental issues as well as STDs to Chronic diseases . These
health impacts not only comes from unsafe or hazardous work environment , life-style and
living condition are to be blamed as well . They eat all types of food without any health
consideration , they practice unsafe sexual intercourse , they normally live in crowded
unhygienic conditions where they are unable to get enough sleep and when they fall ill , they
rarely seek medical attention allowing their health to worsen . It is also found that workers
usually return home with some form of health issue .
One of the main health hazards migrant workers face in a foreign land is the deterioration of
mental health which had lead to suicides and mental disorders like schizophrenia . It is
discovered that in Saudi Arabia , more migrant workers than Saudi citizens commit suicide
and they are more likely to suffer from psychosis .Climate is also a factor that adds to the
mental and physical burden of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia . Migrant workers mostly
come from countries with cooler temperature and they have found it difficult to adjust to the
hot and dry Saudi Arabia climate as most of the work done are outdoors (1).
Impacts from Article 4
Female Nepalese migrant workers working in ether the middle east or Malaysia have found it
difficult to gain access to proper medical services. sometimes they are forced to pay
expensive deposits in order to receive medical aid. This has had led to many workers having
poor health and returning home in a worse condition to when they first came.
The table below is derived from a survey conducted on 1010 Female Nepalese migrant
workers ranging from 14 to 51 years old about their health status and problems faced at work.
Health status & problems faced among migrant women in the workplace
Variables
Number Percentage
Health problem at work
242
24.0
Failed medical test
35
3.5
Abuse at workplace
413
40.9
Accident at workplace
12
1.2
Physical harm
112
11.1
Had mental health problem
88
8.7
Torture at work
311
30.8
Pregnancy at work place
31
3.1
Received health services at workplace
130
Table 1 (4)
12.9
From the table above , it is found that 32.7% (330 female workers) has had some form of
health and mental issues and only 12.9% (130 female workers) had received medical
attention .
In Another study on Nepalese migrant workers in Gulf counties . It was discovered that close
to half (56.6%) of the workers there has had health problems like headaches and fever,
respiratory problems, musculoskeletal problems, gastro-intestinal illness and poisoning (4).
Impacts from article 5
In China , migrant workers from rural parts of the country have a very high risk of
contracting occupational diseases . Out of the 90% of 274 million migrant workers who are in
the construction line , 80% of them deal with coal-mining .
Coal-mining activites in China are known to be highly unsafe and highly health hazardous.
The lack of health hazard control measures to control mine dust concentration was the main
culprit.
In 2011 , Coal dust was measure at 198 to 3420 milligrams per cubic metre which was 50 to
855 times higher than the maximum national standard of respirable dust limit . Out of 5
million coal miners , 7.2% were diagnosed with Pneumoconiosis due to the inhalation of coal
dust . Pneumoconiosis was the biggest course of occupational disease in China coming in at
87% . In another study , it was discovered that 80% of the world coal miners’ death were
Chinese coal miners (5).
2) The extent (prevalence and/or incidence) and awareness of occupational illnesses
existing among migrant workers by various stake holders;
Having read the five articles above , I have found that all of them are fairly similar in the
sense that from Saudi Arabia to Finland to china , Occupational illness are prevalent .
Migrant workers are found to be suffering from poor mental and physical health as they are
not provided with proper medical aid , live in poor conditions , have lack of sleep , run
unhealthy life styles , live in fear of their employees .
Employees are often found to be exploiting their workers. In some cases, workers are tricked
into over-working as their employees demand flexibility and not given enough rest, are not
given proper compensation when they require medical attention and some go as to far as
verbally or physically abuse their workers .
Governments of host nations to migrant workers have generally rules and regulations in place
on workers safety and well-being but fail to enforce their regulation and in some cases, the
structures in place were used to exploited workers instead of protecting them. It only seems
that when there is a major incident , the government steps in to enforce or make changes (15).
3) A discussion of the controls and management strategies that could be used in the
prevention of occupational illnesses occurring in migrant workers
Possible control measures for article 1
The main issue of the migrant workers working in Saudi Arabia is depression or stress .
Factors like working in hot weather , poor living conditions , lost of social status and home
sickness seems to be the biggest reason for said depression .
These are some solutions , to counter the hot weather , employers can provide sheltered rest
area with access to cool drinking water and frequent water breaks . Improve living conditions
. Allow migrant worker to write to their families at least once a month . Treat workers fairly
and with respect . These are some of the ways to improve the mental state of the workers (1).
Possible control measures for article 2
Controls measures for migrant workers in Malaysia has to start at the very top in order to end
discrimination and victimizing of workers . The current provisions in the Employment Act of
1955 and the Malaysian Industrial Relation Act of 1967 section 17[1]and the Trade Union
Act of 1959 needs a reform to protect migrant workers better from their employers who
underpay or not pay workers . Employers should not be allowed to hold their workers
Passports to prevent them from using it as leverage (2).
Possible control measures for article 4
The main issue of Nepalese migrant workers is their lack of awareness on health risk and the
rights they have to health care services in the host countries they enter. As a control measure,
the Government of Nepal should start awareness campaigns and Recruiting agencies or
employers should be more transparent on health risks and provide preventive measure
training courses before starting work (4).
References
1 – WaseemNadim , AbdullahAlOtaibi , AbdulrahmanAl-Mohaimeed b, Mohammed Ewid ,
MohammedSarhandi , JuliannSaquib , et al . Depression among migrant workers in AlQassim, Saudi Arabia.[Online] 2016;206:103-108.Available from:
https://www.sciencedirectcom.ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0165032716306
772?via%3Dihub [Accessed 19 July 2016]
2 - Noraini M. Noor, Muhamad Nabil Shaker . Perceived workplace discrimination, coping
and psychological distress among unskilled Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia
.[Online] 2017;57:19-29.Available from : https://www-sciencedirectcom.ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0147176716302267?via%3Dihub
[Accessed 14 February 2017]
3 - Natalia Ollus . Forced Flexibility and Exploitation: Experiences of Migrant Workers in
the Cleaning Industry. [Online] 2016;6:25-47. Availabe from :
http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid
=b43bb0f0-72ba-4772-8d73-0e2bd04779f1%40sessionmgr104 [Accessed March 2016]
4 - Padam Simkhada, Edwin van Teijlingen, Manju Gurung5 and Sharada P. Wasti . A survey
of health problems of Nepalese female migrants workers in the Middle-East and Malaysia.
[Online] (2018); 18:4:1-7. Available from :
http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid
=e87b6fbf-5d02-4c06-93d9-334d3cceec3d%40pdc-v-sessmgr01 [Accessed 2018]
5 - Li Sun and Tao Liu . Occupational diseases and migrant workers’ compensation
claiming in China: an unheeded social risk in asymmetrical
employment relationships .[Online] 2016;25:1:122–136 . Available from :
http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=3
bdb2ad4-271b-4f6c-843c-540b4f9c129f%40pdc-v-sessmgr04 [Accessed 7 July 2015