Search Results (439)

Background/Objectives: Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights, with migrant women being among the most affected groups. This study aimed to explore the experiences of health, legal, and social professionals involved in the care of migrant women victims of trafficking and sexual violence in southern Spain. Methods: A qualitative design was applied, using semi-structured interviews with 47 professionals from hospitals, NGOs, and legal institutions. Results: The analysis identified common challenges such as language barriers, limited resources, and the absence of standardized protocols. Health professionals highlighted the need for continuous training and culturally sensitive care; legal professionals emphasized flexibility in procedures and the importance of confidential interviews for early detection; and social workers stressed the value of coordinated action across sectors. Conclusions: The findings underline the need for an integrated approach that combines health, social, and legal responses in order to improve protection and support for migrant women victims of trafficking. Full article

Financial literacy, defined as the set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable individuals to make informed economic decisions and manage resources efficiently, is fundamental for social inclusion and the reduction of inequalities. This study, through a systematic review of the scientific literature using the PRISMA methodology, selected 120 primary studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and presented a low risk of bias. These studies examined aspects related to financial literacy programs, the populations benefited, their effects, the challenges encountered, and the lessons that can guide the replication of these initiatives. The results show that the most frequent programs include training in basic financial concepts—savings, budgeting, access to banking services and microfinance—as well as workshops, seminars, and group training sessions. The populations most benefited were rural communities and women, although informal workers, migrants, and refugees could also significantly improve their financial inclusion and economic resilience. Among the positive effects, improvements were observed in income and expense management, increased savings, investment planning, preparation for emergencies and retirement, and the strengthening of economic empowerment and the sustainability of microenterprises and small enterprises. These findings highlight the importance of implementing financial literacy programs adapted to specific contexts to promote inclusion and economic well-being. Full article

The objective of the study is to describe the health status and use of public healthcare services by undocumented migrant sex workers (UMSWs) attended in Catalonia between 2013 and 2018. This study utilized a descriptive observational research design. Non-parametric tests were applied to estimate differences in the use of public healthcare services, and incidence and prevalence of selected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) according to gender and region of origin. Out of 1464 women and 199 men UMSWs, 855 (51.4%) contacted primary care services once or more, and 378 (22.7%) used emergency services. Differences between regions of origin were found in the use of primary care services (Sub-Saharan Africa had 65.9% while Europe and Central Asia 43.0%, p < 0.001). Facilitating early diagnosis and improving access to healthcare resources among key populations such as men who have sex with men or transgender women can be achieved through interventions such as community-led point-of-care testing, which increases the frequency of HIV and STD screening and may also prove effective among UMSWs. Full article

Labour migration from Central and Eastern Europe plays a significant role in the labour market of the European Union, yet few studies examine the direction and extent of occupational mobility triggered by migration. This study introduces a new analytical tool, the Career Benefit Index, which measures the direction of change in occupational status between the labour markets of the country of origin and the host country. The tool also enables the assessment of sociological factors that explain these changes. The index was developed using data from Hungarian workers living in Austria and Germany. The analysis revealed that educational attainment has no significant impact on career mobility. In contrast, demographic factors such as gender, age, and particularly very high-level German language proficiency strongly influence career trajectories. The index demonstrates that labour market capacities play a limited role in shaping migrants’ career paths, as the host labour markets tend to “evaluate” migrant workers primarily based on their linguistic and demographic attributes. The index and the findings contribute to a deeper understanding of labour market integration among Central and Eastern European migrants and may offer new directions for migration and employment policy analysis. Full article

This study explores the comparative employment laws related to migrant worker protection in Indonesia and Malaysia, with a focus on the socioeconomic inequalities faced by migrant workers in both countries. The study identifies key challenges in law enforcement, including migrant workers’ vulnerability to exploitation, poor recruitment procedures, and limited access to adequate legal education and information. A qualitative–interpretive methodology is used to explore in-depth issues related to employment laws and the socio-economic conditions of migrant workers. The study shows that Indonesia’s decentralized system results in fragmented and inconsistent law enforcement across regions, exacerbated by weak institutional capacity, legal gaps, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s centralized but pro-employer governance prioritizes economic growth over labor rights, leaving migrant workers—especially in the domestic and informal sectors—exposed to exploitation, wage discrimination, debt bondage, and limited access to social protection. To address these inequalities, bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia is needed, including stronger law enforcement and equal protection for local and migrant workers. The study’s key finding is that these institutional weaknesses not only perpetuate migrant workers’ vulnerability, but also deepen structural socioeconomic inequalities between workers, agents, and employers. The study underscores the need for stronger law enforcement, formalization of the informal sector, harmonization with international labor conventions, and stronger bilateral cooperation. This study contributes to labor law studies and policy debates by offering insights into the institutional reforms necessary for more equitable and sustainable migrant worker governance in Southeast Asia. Full article

Our study examines whether the inflow of rural-to-urban migration increases the productivity of manufacturing firms in China, using cross-sectional data from the 2005 China 1% Population Survey and the Annual Survey of Industrial Firms. The analysis accounts for firm heterogeneity—including ownership, export orientation, and industry type—and explores the moderating role of regional minimum wage policies. The results indicate that the inflow of rural-to-urban migration significantly enhances firm productivity through agglomeration effects, technological efficiency, and cost advantages, and the findings remain robust under alternative specifications. Productivity gains are most pronounced among private, non-exporting, and technology-intensive firms, while the effects are weaker or insignificant for state-owned and exporting firms due to higher skill requirements and labor mismatches. At the regional level, moderate minimum wage standards amplify the productivity benefits of migration, whereas higher wage levels reduce cost advantages. These results highlight that the productivity effects of rural-to-urban migration are context-dependent—shaped by firm characteristics and regional wage settings. The study contributes new empirical evidence to the international literature on labor mobility and sustainable industrial productivity and provides policy insights aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing differentiated regional and sectoral strategies for inclusive and sustainable growth. Full article

Modern social work is inseparable from the provision of timely and practical assistance to vulnerable populations, including forced migrants. In the context of increasing geopolitical instability and the growing influx of displaced people, social workers are increasingly required to serve this group not as exceptional but as regular clients. However, significant barriers—such as restrictive social policies and the inadequate preparation of social workers—limit forced migrants’ access to quality support services. This article examines the strengthening of core social work competencies in the learning process (e.g., through developing intercultural communication skills and applying experiential learning and trauma-informed methods). The article presents the results of an empirical study implemented within the Erasmus+ project “Improved Social Workers” in Lithuania and Cyprus. A mixed-methods research strategy combining observations, psychodiagnostic techniques, and reflexive analysis was employed in this study. Quantitative data revealed an increase in social workers’ communicative tolerance and a reduction in ethnocentrism. At the same time, qualitative analysis highlighted significant growth in both professional and personal aspects of the participants’ lives. Following training, both Lithuanian and Cypriot social workers reported improved intercultural communication, increased sensitivity to trauma, and enhanced professional skills. The findings underscore the importance of training social workers to effectively address the complex needs of forced migrants. Full article

During the COVID-19 pandemic, migrant workers in Singapore endured one of the longest and most stringent periods of confinement globally. Segregationist policies were intensified as the state imposed strict disciplinary regimes over workers’ mobility and everyday lives, framed as public health interventions but functioning also as labor discipline and social control. This study asks: how did migrant workers experience, narrate, and endure life under such conditions of confinement? Drawing on sixteen in-depth interviews with South Asian male construction workers, conducted in dormitories and makeshift worksites, we adopt a grounded theory approach to elicit contextually grounded accounts of life under lockdown. The analysis highlights three interrelated themes: emotional regulation, migrant masculinity and the gendered politics of endurance, and digital connectivity as an affective infrastructure. These practices enabled workers to carve out agentic spaces within structures designed to render them passive. Our findings reveal that even amid fear, surveillance, overcrowding, and economic precarity, workers combined stoicism, transnational kinship ties, religious routines, and solidarity to sustain resilience. While initially guided by Foucauldian notions of surveillance and biopower, the study advances a counter-Foucauldian insight: that institutional control is never total, and migrant narratives of resilience offer nuanced understandings of agency under constrain. Full article

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting refugee crisis, this study investigates innovative and flexible forms of trans-local care among communities of Ukrainian refugees living with HIV in host countries, particularly Germany and Poland. The study adopts a community-based participatory research approach to understand how trans-local community-based organizations (CBOs) support access to HIV care for Ukrainian refugees in Germany and Poland, and what roles activists and peer networks play in overcoming barriers to healthcare in the context of forced displacement. It is based on semi-structured interviews with refugee activists, community members, healthcare professionals, social workers, and subject-matter experts—52 interviews in total conducted in 2023–2024. The research identifies emerging configurations of community networks that facilitate access to healthcare, including community-based, mixed-type, and bridge-type organizations. Activists play a central role in navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems, advocating for migrant-sensitive services, and developing grassroots solutions to both individual and structural barriers to HIV care in contexts of forced displacement. Migrant organizations are instrumental in facilitating community-based linkage to HIV care for refugees. In the case of Ukrainian transnational communities, these organizations draw on previously acquired experiences, knowledge, and skills to support their peers. The involvement of community-led initiatives is essential to reducing disparities in healthcare access and promoting the well-being of forced migrants. Full article

Background: Mental health is increasingly recognized as an integral component of occupational health and safety, particularly in high-risk industries such as construction. However, in Saudi Arabia, limited attention has been given to understanding mental health knowledge, beliefs, and workplace support mechanisms, especially among a diverse workforce that includes both migrant and national employees. Methods: This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with 30 construction sector participants occupying a range of professional roles. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 15 software, guided by the COM-B model and Health Belief Model, to explore perceptions related to mental health, safety practices, and organizational interventions. Results: The findings highlight significant disparities between migrant and national workers. Migrant workers reported greater challenges related to language barriers, cultural stigma, and a lack of access to culturally appropriate mental health support. National workers described slightly better access to safety and health initiatives but still reported inadequate mental health training. Key barriers across the workforce included limited leadership engagement, stigma, resource constraints, and insufficient organizational training. Existing health and safety programmes were largely focused on physical safety, with minimal incorporation of mental health concerns. Conclusions: The study reveals a pressing need to integrate mental health into occupational safety frameworks in the Saudi construction sector. Culturally sensitive, leadership-supported mental health initiatives are essential to addressing disparities and promoting holistic workers’ well-being across both migrant and national populations. Full article

Background: Loneliness and social isolation among older people are currently widespread and recognized as the foremost public health problems globally and locally. Hong Kong, which exhibits a rapid aging trend and an expanding elderly population, is inevitably facing these issues. This study explored the lived experiences of loneliness among older adults in Hong Kong. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted among older adults in the community aged 60 or above who were cared for by migrant domestic workers and presented varying levels of loneliness. Purposive sampling was used to select subjects for face-to-face, semi-structured individual interviews, with consent for audio recording, which led to the inclusion of 19 older adults, among whom five were male, nine lived with a spouse, and three lived with their children. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was adopted. Results: We identified a core theme, “Should I stay at home alone?”, and the following four interrelated themes: (1) experience of inadequate social support and networks, (2) altered family dynamics and support, (3) deterioration in physical functions and mobility limitations, and (4) experience of negative and complex emotions. Conclusions: Based on our investigation into the lived experience of loneliness among older adults locally, we recommend that the government, non-governmental organizations, and healthcare institutions establish appropriate strategies and integrated services to address the social, physical, familial, and emotional issues in this population to foster healthy aging, improve their quality of life, and encourage support from families and communities. Full article

Introduction: This study was conducted from July 2021 to December 2022. We propose a scale to measure the right to health among international migrants in primary care settings. The scale aims to highlight and objectively assess the elements integrated into the delivery of healthcare services by health personnel. Objective: Our aim was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a measurement scale assessing the right to health in primary care for migrant populations in Chile, from the perspective of healthcare workers. Methods: An instrumental psychometric study was conducted. The sample comprised 339 primary healthcare workers from the Antofagasta, Biobío, and Metropolitan regions of Chile. The stages of the process included a theoretical review, conceptual definition, item construction, initial qualitative evaluation, and scale administration. Results: The initial 55-item model exhibited unsatisfactory fit indices (χ² = 2608.693; df = 1271; p < 0.001; RMSEA = 0.056; CFI = 0.931; TLI = 0.919; SRMR = 0.054), whereas the refined 19-item model achieved satisfactory fit (χ² = 441.72, df = 146, p < 0.001; RMSEA = 0.07; CFI = 0.95; TLI = 0.94; SRMR = 0.05). Conclusions: The scale demonstrates robust internal consistency and offers a valuable tool for evaluating primary healthcare delivery to international migrants based on the right to health framework. Full article

Respirable crystalline silica is a well-established occupational hazard in construction work. Despite increased awareness, consistent exposure control remains a challenge, particularly in dynamic and resource-constrained environments. Respirable crystalline silica exposure in construction environments challenges the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Respirable crystalline silica particles cause severe health complications, including silicosis, lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune disorders, representing a significant barrier to achieving SDG 3.9’s target of reducing deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemical exposures by 2030. This systematic review evaluates two decades of advancements (2004–2024) in respirable crystalline silica identification, characterisation, and mitigation within construction, synthesising evidence from 143 studies to assess progress toward sustainable occupational health management. This review documents a paradigmatic shift from traditional exposure assessment toward sophisticated monitoring approaches incorporating real-time detection systems, virtual reality–Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations, and wearable sensor technologies. Engineering controls, including local exhaust ventilation, wet suppression methods, and modified tool designs, have achieved exposure reductions exceeding 90%, directly supporting SDG 8.8’s commitment to safe working environments for all workers, including migrants and those in precarious employment. However, substantial barriers persist, including prohibitive costs, inadequate infrastructure, and regional regulatory disparities that particularly disadvantage lower-resourced countries, contradicting the Sustainable Development Goals’ principles of leaving no one behind. The findings advocate holistic approaches integrating technological innovation with context-specific regulations, enhanced international cooperation, and culturally adapted worker education to achieve equitable occupational health protection supporting multiple Sustainable Development Goals’ objectives by 2030 and also highlighting potential areas for future research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Agricultural workers in Spain with a migratory background face challenging working and living conditions that significantly affect their health. This study aimed to explore how professionals in healthcare, social services, civil society organisations, and labour institutions perceive that the working conditions affect the physical health of this population. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted through 92 semi-structured interviews with professionals from six provinces in Spain. Data were analysed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework. Rigour was ensured through triangulation, independent coding, and interdisciplinary consensus. Results: Two overarching themes were identified: (1) the health consequences of workplace demands and environmental hazards, and (2) navigating health services such as sick leave and disability permits. These findings highlight how the impact of precarious working conditions and limited access to healthcare affect the physical health of migrant agricultural workers. Conclusions: The professionals interviewed described and relate precarious working conditions with adverse health outcomes among migrant agricultural workers. Their insights reveal the need for systemic reforms to enforce labour rights, ensure access to health services, and address the structural factors that contribute to exclusion and vulnerability. Full article

Background: International migration is a growing global phenomenon involving diverse groups, such as labor migrants, international marriage migrants, refugees, and international students. International migrants face unique mental health challenges influenced by adversities such as social isolation and limited access to mental health services. This study employs bibliometric methods to systematically analyze the global body of literature on international migrants’ mental health. Methods: The literature on the mental health of international migrants published until October 2024 was searched using the Web of Science database. The search terms included (‘International migrants’ OR ‘migrant workers’ OR ‘international students’ OR ‘refugees’ OR ‘asylum seekers’ OR ‘smuggled migrants’) AND ‘mental health’. VOSviewer was used to conduct bibliometric analysis, focusing on co-authorship patterns, keyword co-occurrence, and citation networks. Results: Over the past four decades, research on the mental health of international migrants has grown substantially, with major migration destinations such as the United States, Europe, and Australia playing prominent roles in this field. ‘Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)’ was the most frequent keyword in publications, with strong links to ‘trauma’ and ‘depression’. In recent years, with the impact of global socioenvironmental changes and emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the research focus has gradually shifted towards social support, service accessibility, and cultural adaptation. Conclusions: International migration is a far-reaching global phenomenon, and addressing the mental health of migrant populations is essential for advancing public health, social cohesion, and sustainable development. This study provides the first bibliometric overview of research in this domain, mapping its thematic evolution and collaborative structure. The findings offer valuable insights into the field’s development and may support future interdisciplinary collaboration and the formulation of culturally informed, evidence-based approaches in migrant mental health. Full article