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Health and Safety Concerns os Migrant Workers: The Experience of Tunisian Workers in Modena, Italy
Author(s) -
Faïçal Daly
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
finisterra
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.242
H-Index - 10
eISSN - 2182-2905
pISSN - 0430-5027
DOI - 10.18055/finis1563
Subject(s) - migrant workers , trade union , racism , political science , empirical research , occupational safety and health , business , economic growth , demographic economics , economics , law , philosophy , epistemology , international trade
This paper examines the relatively under-researched field of healthand safety of migrant workers, with special reference to Tunisian construction workers in the city of Modena in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. The empirical material comes from questionnaires and interviews with Tunisian migrants, plus smaller numbers of interviews with employers and trade union representatives in Modena. The paper starts by critically reviewing the scattered literature onthe health and safety of minority workers, most of which refers to the United States and the United Kingdom. The discussion then moves to a consideration of migrant health and safety questions in the contexts of racism, discrimination, social class, working conditions, labour market segmentation and (non-) regulation. Specialattention is given to the failed role of trade unions in defending the rights of minority workers, in advanced countries generally and in Italy in particular. A case study is then made of the construction sector in Italy, enriched by personal accounts of the experiences of Tunisian migrant workers in Modena. Employer and tradeunion interviews reveal a lack of concern and ability to tackle the relevant issues. Barriers to health and safety awareness training are outlined. In the conclusion, recommendations are made for policy initiatives in this area.

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