Health and Safety Concerns of Migrants workers: the experience of Tunisian workers in Modena, Italy

• Autores: Faical Daly
• Localización: Finisterra: Revista Portuguesa de Geografia, ISSN 0430-5027, Vol. 39, Nº 77, 2004, págs. 105-127
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This paper examines the relatively under-researched field of health and safety of migrant workers, with special reference to Tunisian construction workers in ihe city of Modena in ihe Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. The empirical material comes from questionnaires and interviews with Tunisians migrants, plus smaller numbers of interviews with employing and trade union representative in Modena. The paper starts by critically reviewing the scattered literature un the 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 and safety questions in ihe contexts of racism, discrimination, social class, working conditions, labour market segmentation and (non-) regulation. Special attention is given to ihe failed rule of trade union in defending the rights of minority workers, in advanced countries generally and in Italy in particular. A case study is then made of ihe construction Sector in Italy, enriched by personal accounts of the experiences of Tunisian migrant workers in Modena. Employer and trade union interviews reveal a lack of concern and ability to tackle ihe relevant issues. Barriers to health sod safety awareness training are unlined. lo ihe conclusion, recommendation are made for policy initiatives in this areas.