Citation

Cha S, Cho Y. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2014; 57(9): 1043-1052.

Affiliation

School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/ajim.22349

PMID

24953056

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Migrant workers now represent an increasing percentage of workers in Korea, but few studies have evaluated work-related health risks in this population. In this study, we explored the relative risk of occupational injuries and diseases in migrant workers compared with native Korean workers.

METHOD: An analysis of work-related injuries and diseases among migrant workers in Korea during 2005-2007 was conducted in each industrial subsector using nationwide data.

RESULTS: Risks of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries for migrant workers were considerably higher than their Korean counterparts. The industry-adjusted standard mortality ratios of fatal occupational injuries were 1.89 (1.45-2.47), 2.29 (1.81-2.88), and 1.73 (1.36-2.22) for 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: A greater proportion of migrant workers is exposed to higher risks of occupational safety and health issues than their Korean counterparts, demonstrating that the occupational safety and health of migrant workers requires more attention than that of Korean workers. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en