Abstract ID: 166
Authors:
Yawen Cheng
Tsung-Yu Lee
Yi-Ling Huang
Chu-Ling Cheng
Chun-Yen Chen
Affiliations:
Institute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Taiwan Occupational Safety and Health Link, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun-Lin Branch.
Abstract:Background: Migrant contract workers are employed to address labor shortages in specific sectors in Taiwan. While migrant workers were known to have a higher risk of occupational accidents than native workers, their post-injury experiences and their interactions with key stakeholders such as employers, brokers, and government agencies have not been thoroughly studied. Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with 40 migrant workers in Taiwan who had sustained occupational injuries or work-related illnesses. Participants included 13 Vietnamese, 17 Indonesians, 8 Filipinos, and 2 Thais. Among them, 31 were factory workers, 4 were live-in care workers, 4 were fishery workers, and 1 was an agricultural worker. Additional information was gathered from interviews with 5 staff members from brokerage agencies and 10 representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Results: Most participants suffered temporary disabilities, and some experienced permanent disabilities. Although the majority expressed satisfaction with the medical care provided under Taiwan’s National Health Insurance program, many reported high psychological distress due to financial hardship and employment insecurity. Some workers also encountered hostile attitudes and adverse treatment by employers, including denial of work-relatedness of injuries, refusal to provide wage compensation during recovery, coercion to return to work prematurely, demanding contract termination, failure to provide accommodation and food during recovery, and even threats of deportation. While brokers often provided immediate assistance, their actions were largely constrained by employers’ decisions and authority. Conclusions: The right to a safe workplace and access to fair compensation are fundamental labor rights that should not differ based on nationality or contract status. This study highlights significant gaps in occupational safety protections, occupational health services, and social support systems for migrant contract workers in Taiwan, underscoring the need for policy reform and targeted interventions.
Keywords: Global Health Workforce, occupational injury, migrant workers, workers’ compensation, social support, workers”™ compensation and rehabilitation services
