Labour Exploitation Trafficking and Migrant Health

Psychosocial hazards were also identified in the literature. It was found that the way textile work is
designed, organized and managed as well as the economic and social context of the working and living
conditions have implications on the textile workers’ health. Lack of breaks resulted in insufficient
hydration and urinary retention. Lack of natural light caused insufficient vitamin D and contributed
to osteoporosis. 53 Among working conditions, the psychological stress from employer disciplinary
actions and the pressure to maximize production was found to have impacts on mental health.
A typical example in the literature is the establishment of prizes for workers who achieve certain
(usually unattainable) productivity goals. 54 This pressure often resulted in psychological disorders
such as tension, nervousness, stress, sleep disorders, tension headaches, digestive and cardiovascular
psychosomatic disorders, and anxiety. 55 Another aspect considered in these studies was the social
isolation of the workers, when communication with peers was limited. Women, in particular seem to
be under extreme pressure as some of them have to balance work and family issues, contributing to
high levels of stress, often due to the fact that women must perform household activities in addition
to their garment work. 56 The pressure of having to work extensive hours and take care of the family at
the same time meant women had little time to rest, attend to personal health problems, and attend
social engagements. Finally, the literature also showed that poorly balanced meals lacking protein
and vitamins can produce anaemia, which can have an impact on the immune system impairing its
ability to prevent and tackle disease. 57
Another occupational health problem identified in the literature in relation to textile workers is that
of dental issues. Research showed high levels of tooth decay and loss among workers due to lack of
access to dental medical care, given the low income status of workers. 58
Biological hazards such as exposure to bacteria or viruses were also identified in the literature, related
to the overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in the textile workshops. 59 In addition, obstructive
respiratory problems were such as byssinosis and occupational asthma were reported as a result
of workers prolonged exposure to the inhalation of cotton particles. 60 Finally, studies found that
exposure to chemicals in the textile workshops such as endotoxin, asbestos, polyester could cause
skin problems such as dermatitis and respiratory related problems such as respiratory tract infections,
bronchoconstriction, cough, excessive mucus, nasal stuffiness, among other impacts described in
Table 5. 61
53
Md Zahirul Islam, “Vitamin D deficiency and low bone status in adult female garment factory workers in Bangladesh”, British Journal of
Nutrition, 99(6):1322–1329, doi: http://dx.doi.org/0.1017/S0007114508894445, 2008.
54
Silvina Pascucci, “Avances y límites de la acción político-sindical en la industria de la confección de indumentaria. Una caracterización
del SOIVA y la UTC-Alameda”, Documentos de Jóvenes Investigadores 26, Buenos Aires: Instituto de Investigaciones Gino Germani,
Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 2011.
55
Alejandro Goldberg, “Contextos de vulnerabilidad social y situaciones de riesgo para la salud: tuberculosis en inmigrantes bolivianos
que trabajan y viven en talleres textiles clandestinos de Buenos Aires”, Cuadernos de antropología social, n.39, 2014.
56
Tushar Kanti Saha et al., “Health status of workers engaged in the small-scale garment industry: how healthy are they”, Indian Journal
of Community Medicine, vol. 35, no. 1, 2010.
57
Alejandro Goldberg, “Sociocultural factors in the health-care process of patients with tuberculosis, of Vaccarezza Institute of Muñiz
Hospital”, Rev Argent Salud Pública, 2010; 1(5):13–21.
58
Norma Lara Flores, et al., “Necesidades insatisfechas de atención odontológica en trabajadores de la costura en México D.F”, Salud de
los Trabajadores, vol.19, n.1, pp. 35–46, 2011.
59
Alejandro Goldberg, “Un abordaje comparativo en torno a la incidencia de la tuberculosis en inmigrantes bolivianos de Buenos Aires
y São Paulo”, REMHU, Revista Interdisciplinar da Mobilidade Humana [online], vol.21, n.40, [cited 26 November 2015], pp. 93–106,
2013.
60
William Arciniegas Quiroga, “Función pulmonar y síntomas respiratorios en trabajadores de la industria textil”, En Revista Médica de
Risaralda, Vol. 11, núm. 2, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, 2005.
61
Nagoda, M., J.U, Okpapi and M. Babashani, “Assessment of respiratory symptoms and lung function among textile workers at Kano
Textile Mills, Kano, Nigeria”, Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice; 2012 Oct-Dec; 15(4):373–9, 2012.
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