Labour Exploitation Trafficking and Migrant Health

Ergonomic hazards
(working positions that
put strain on the body)
Chemical hazards
(exposure to a chemical
in any form in the work
place)
Psychosocial hazards
(related to the way work
is designed, organized
and managed as well as
the economic and social
context of working and
living conditions)
Poor posture
Prolonged sitting time
Repetitive movements
Exposure to cloth chemicals,
such as cotton dust, endotoxin,
asbestos, polyester (skin and
breath absorption)
Psychological stress from
employer disciplinary action and
pressure to maximize production
Lack of breaks (insufficient
hydration, urinary retention, lack
of day exposure)
Poorly balanced meals (meals
lacking protein and vitamins and
high in carbohydrates )
Lack of dental hygiene
• Chronic back pain, spine
problems
• Arthritis/joint pain: hands,
wrists, shoulders, feet, knees
• Haemorrhoids
• Circulatory problems
• Prolonged relaxation of
abdominal muscles affecting
digestion and breathing
• Numbness of hands and fingers
• Dermatitis
• Respiratory tract infections
• Bronchoconstriction, cough
• Excessive mucus
• Nasal stuffiness
• Nocturnal asthma
• Rhinitis
• Wheeze
• Chest tightness
• Cough
• Phlegm
• Shortness of breath
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleep disorders
• Neuroses
• Headaches
• Digestive and cardiovascular
psychosomatic disorders
Pulido Navarro
et al., 2012;
El Río Quintillán,
2013;
Herbert et al.,
2001;
Ahmed, S. and M.
Raihan, 2014;
Saha, T.K. et al.,
2010
Dasheng Lu, 2013;
Lisi et al., 2014;
Nagoda et al.,
2012;
Wanliya et al.,
2011
Benencia, 2009;
Pascucci, 2010;
Goldberg, 2011;
Navarro, M. et al.,
2012;
Chand, 2006;
Goldberg, 2012
• Anaemia Chand, 2006
• Dental caries
• Tooth loss
* Please see bibliography located at the end of this chapter for complete reference information.
Lara Flores, M.
et al., 2011
3.4
Main findings
In this section the main findings of the 21 interviews with Bolivian migrant workers and victims of
trafficking who had experience in the textile industry in Argentina are presented. Areas explored
include pre-departure background; recruitment; occupational risk exposures and outcomes; violence,
abuse, threats and related reported health outcomes; living conditions; health beliefs and medical
care and service access.
Pre-departure
Migration motivations
The desire to achieve a better economic situation seems to have been the primary driver of
migration among the interviewees. Low salaries, job insecurity and lack of employment tended to
pushed participants to leave Bolivia in search of better salaries in Argentina. Among the main goals
they wished to achieve with this improved economic situation were to secure a steady and higher
household income in order to complete their education or pay for their children’s education, save
money to start their own business (such as buying machinery to set up their own textile workshop)
or pay off a debt. A few individuals mentioned other motivations, such as receiving free health
Labour Exploitation, Trafficking and Migrant Health
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