Researchers see many health problems among migrant workers
Migrant workers often struggle with health problems due to poor working and living conditions, but they do not call in sick easily. Among other things, for fear of losing their job, people continue to walk around with physical and mental complaints for a long time, research agency Pharos outlines in a report.
The language barrier and a lack of information about Dutch care also increase the threshold for this group to seek help. “A lot of people don’t know what their rights are and where they can get support,” the researchers said. They spoke with migrant workers themselves and with health professionals, among others. The latter see a lot of stress, depression and people who are stressed out among the migrants.
“Due to the long working days, there is little room for social contact and relaxation,” the researchers explain. They confirm the picture that Central and Eastern European labor migrants relatively often turn to alcohol, drugs or tobacco. However, there are no hard figures on this.
Bad conditions
Migrants who work in agriculture, production or the food industry, for example, often have to deal with poor conditions. The work they do is relatively risky or dirty, the workload is high and housing “often leaves a lot to be desired”. Due to their long working days and a lack of relaxation, people become exhausted, the researchers outline.
According to the researchers, the fact that people here do not quickly go to the doctor is also due to the fact that they have little confidence in Dutch healthcare. “They also think: in a few months I will go to Poland, then I will go there.”
According to the researchers, health and well-being should receive more attention in the policy for migrant workers. “Stimulate better organization of occupational health care and healthy and safe working conditions by employment agencies and employers”, is another advice. More prevention and language education can also ultimately yield health benefits.