The study of health problems and appropriate health services for Myanmar migrant workers: a case study of an enamelware factory in Nonthaburi Province
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/dcj.2019.26Keywords:
health problems, occupational health and safety service provision, Myanmar migrant workersAbstract
The objective of this research was to study health problems at the workplace among Myanmar migrant workers and factors related to health problems and obstacles in providing occupational health and safety services to Myanmar migrant workers in an enamelware factory in Nonthaburi Province. The sample was divided into 3 groups: 120 Myanmar migrant workers, an employer representative and 3 safety officers. Data on Myanmar migrant workers' health problems were collected with a questionnaire using an interpreter as a communication assistant. The results of this research indicated that most of sample Myanmar migrant workers were male (55.00%), aged 20-30 years (67.50%), and graduated with lower secondary education (53.30%). Total income plus OT pay was in the range of 5,000 to 10,000 baht per month (79.20%) and had over 2 years of working experiences in an enamelware factory (69.20%). Throughout the period of work in the enamelware factory, the most commonly found work-related symptoms were neck, shoulder and upper back pain (28.30%), followed by lower back, waist, hip and thigh pain (9.20%) and rash on hands or arms (7.50%). By analyzing factors related to health problems at the workplace by controlling the influence of other factors using binary logistics regression, the results indicated that knowledge about work safety was related to neck, shoulder and upper back pain with a statistical significance level (p<0.05). Based on an in-depth interview with the employer representative, the results showed that the key obstacles in working with Myanmar migrant workers were communication and cost of translating documents about occupational health and safety. Limited budget resulted in incomprehensive and inconsistent provision and education about occupational health and safety, and the model of providing health services for Myanmar migrant workers. Representatives should be assigned to communicate information on occupational health and safety activities. Besides, based on entrepreneurs’ suggestions, public and private organizations or related agencies should participate in assisting the provision of occupational health and safety services for Myanmar migrant workers in industrial factories. Burmese language training courses and safety media in particular are relatively expensive, resulting in incomprehensive and inconsistent provision of related trainings.
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