Living Conditions, Reference Dependence, and the Well-being of Migrant Workers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huayu Xu
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Reference Dependence

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on displaced populations and migrants around the world

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alifa Siddiqui
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Public Health Centre ◽  
Migrant Populations ◽  
The Impact

My practicum placement was completed with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health Centre for Global Health. I have contributed to the work of a team of student and faculty members developing a review of the literature and environmental scan to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on migrant populations. I worked with colleagues to design and run a search strategy on the Medline (OVID) and Scopus bibliographic databases. The findings showed that crises including the COVID-19 pandemic act as magnifying lens and expose existing inequities within society as the impact of the pandemic is not equally felt by all population groups. Migrant populations are particularly impacted due to their intersectional identities that marginalize and disempower them and severely impact their health outcomes. Even though migration is the engine of the globalized economy and migrant workers make significant contribution to agricultural and economic prosperity, their precarious living conditions have worsened during the pandemic and they are being excluded from relief packages and income support. Furthermore, racism and xenophobia are fuelling hostility and prejudice towards migrants as governments are controlling the movement of migrants by closing their borders to asylum seekers and existing refugee camps are having outbreaks due to cramped and overcrowded living conditions and limited healthcare access. It is evident that migrant populations are very diverse groups that are facing unique challenges and thus, require distinct forms of protection particularly during this pandemic. The results of this work are currently being summarized in a manuscript that recognizes how determinants of health impact the health and well-being of migrants, the need to develop a road map for recovery using a health equity lens, and inform health policies. To eradicate COVID-19, it is imperative to leave no one behind including migrant populations and re-evaluate how inequities are addressed globally.

Achieving Financial Inclusion for Persons With Disabilities: Exploring Preparedness and Accessibility of Financial Services for Persons With Disabilities in Malawi

2021 ◽  
pp. 104420732110275
Author(s):  
Alex Nester Jiya ◽  
Maxwell Peprah Opoku ◽  
William Nketsia ◽  
Joslin Alexei Dogbe ◽  
Josephine Nkrumah Adusei
Keyword(s):  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Commercial Banks ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Inclusive Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Persons With Disabilities

Deplorable living conditions among persons with disabilities and the need to improve their living conditions cannot be overemphasized. This has triggered international discussion on the need for deliberate social policies to bridge the poverty gap between persons with and without disabilities. In Malawi, expansion of financial services has been identified as an essential tool to accelerate economic and inclusive development. However, empirical studies are yet to explore the preparedness of financial institutions to extend their services to persons with disabilities. In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers from commercial banks in Malawi to understand their perspectives on extending financial services to persons with disabilities. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and a descriptive thematic analysis was performed. Although participants reiterated the need to provide persons with disabilities with financial services to improve their well-being, few initiatives have been undertaken to improve their participation. Particularly, participants stated that barriers, such as a lack of financial literacy and adaptive technologies, communication barriers, and high rates of unemployment, explained the reluctance of commercial banks to extend financial services to persons with disabilities. The limitations, recommendations for future research, and implications of the study for policymaking have been highlighted.

Weak ties matter: Social network dynamics of mobile media multiplexity and their impact on the social support and psychological well-being experienced by migrant workers

2021 ◽  
pp. 205015792110011
Author(s):  
Piper Liping Liu ◽  
Tien Ee Dominic Yeo
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Mobile Media ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
The Social ◽  
Media Multiplexity ◽  
Mobile Ict

This study investigates the contextual and relational characteristics that underlie people’s information and communication technology (ICT) use and the implications for their well-being. We contextualize this investigation according to migrants, because they are faced with disruptions to their personal networks in the migration process that may attenuate the availability of social support and negatively affect their mental health. Migrants tend to be proficient in using mobile ICT to connect with different social ties to fulfill their needs, which potentially makes a difference to their psychological well-being. Through a survey of 504 internal migrant workers in China, we examined the social network factors that underlie multiple mobile ICT use and the attendant influences on social support and psychological well-being. Redressing the overemphasis on the importance of strong ties in extant literature, this study highlights the salience of mobile media multiplexity (i.e., the use of multiple mobile communication channels for social interactions) in weak tie communication and the greater contribution of weak ties toward social support and psychological well-being than strong ties. Our findings suggest that mobile-mediated communicative relationships with newer and more distanced social connections outside their immediate circles enhance the well-being of migrants. We contend that media multiplexity vis-à-vis weak ties underscores the reconfiguration of migrants’ communicative relationships following the separation from original ties and facilitates rewarding interactions with new ties.

“It’s better I’m dead”: oppression and suicidal ideation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Reber
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Environmental Context ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Temporary Migrant ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
First Time

Purpose Anecdotal accounts of suicide among temporary low-wage migrant workers in the UAE are numerous, but unofficial and qualitative accounts remain unexplored. This study aims to examine how the socio-environmental context can lead some low-wage migrants, irrespective of their nationality or culture, to contemplate suicide for the first time after arriving in the host country. Design/methodology/approach The findings draw from ten months of qualitative fieldwork (2015–2016) and in-depth interviews conducted with 44 temporary migrant workers from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, earning in the lowest wage bracket in Dubai. The study used a non-probabilistic, purposive sampling approach to select participants. Three criteria drove eligibility: participants had to reside in the UAE, be non-national and earn Dh1500 (US$408) or less a month. Otherwise, diversity was sought in regard to nationality, occupation and employer. Findings Eight (18%) of the 44 study participants interviewed admitted to engaging in suicidal thoughts for the first time after arriving in the UAE. The findings suggest that for low-wage migrants working in certain socio-environmental contexts, the religious, gendered or other cultural or group characteristics or patterns that may be predictors of suicide in migrants’ country of origin may become secondary or possibly even irrelevant when one is forced to survive under conditions that by most objective standards would be deemed not only oppressive but extremely exploitative and abusive. Originality/value This study contributes to understandings of how the emotional and psychological well-being of temporary foreign low-wage migrant workers can be impacted by the socio-environmental context of the host country. It is a first step in understanding the intimate thoughts of low-wage migrant workers on the topic of suicidality, furthering our understanding of suicidal ideation and the factors that can contribute to it.

Was it worth the trouble? Limited competition and citizen well-being under authoritarian rule

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-113
Author(s):  
Andrea Cassani
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Political Change ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Political Competition ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Democratic Institutions ◽  
Authoritarian Rule ◽  
Electoral Authoritarianism ◽  
Ordinary Citizens

The last part of 20th century saw the collapse of a dramatic number of dictatorships. Rather than democracy, several of these transitions brought regimes where limited political competition coexists with persistently authoritarian practices. The diffusion of this form of authoritarianism in the developing world raises several questions about its broader consequences. Most importantly, does political change short of democratization matter for ordinary citizens? Recent research demonstrates that nominally democratic institutions, even in the absence of people empowerment, can result in better living conditions. The paper adds to this debate by formulating and testing new hypotheses. I compare electoral authoritarianism with democracy and full dictatorship, including specific subtypes of the latter, and focus on both policy outputs and outcomes.

scholarly journals Maternal Health and Access to Healthcare among Migrant Workers Engaged in Informal Construction Work, Ahmedabad, India

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Ravindranath ◽  
Lora Iannotti
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Informal Economy ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Postpartum Care ◽  
Migrant Women ◽  
Informal Work ◽  
Primary Sample

Abstract Background:A large proportion of migrant women in India are employed in the urban informal economy, which is often characterized by low wages, precarious work conditions, poor living conditions and lack of social security. Circumstances such as these have deep implications for the health and overall wellbeing of workers. Our paper focuses on the intersection of migration, informal work and maternal health among female workers in the construction sector. We specifically seek to understand women’s perception and experience of morbidity and examine their ability to seek and access maternal healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth and during the postpartum period.Methods:The field work for this study was undertaken in Ahmedabad, India. We recorded anthropometric measurements and conducted in depth interviews with our primary sample of female migrant workers. We also conducted two focus group discussions (FGDs) with male workers and reached out to other stakeholders.Results:Anthropometric measurements (N=55) suggested that a significant proportion of women (47%) suffered from low BMI (M= 18.36, SD= 1.7). Participants reported that physical ailments, diseases and illnesses were a constant feature of their lives. Women associated morbidity with poor work and living conditions, exposure to pollution and lack of safety measures during work. Women reported working until the last month of pregnancy and returned to work within few weeks of childbirth. Only 32% of the women (N=50) in our study sample had received two or more antenatal care check-ups, 64% had had an institutional delivery and 62% had received postpartum care within two days of childbirth. Women suggested that their access to seek healthcare services in the city was limited due to time constraints, inability to take break from work, irregular wage patterns and lack of familiarity with urban health systems. Pregnant women expressed desire to go to the village for childbirth and postpartum care as there was likely to be familial support for care. Conclusion: Our study finds that informal work conditions and migration have diverse and complex implications for women in need of maternal health care. Future policy needs to take into account particular and peculiar needs of migrant women to address their health needs.

scholarly journals Variation in the Quality of Life within Punjab: Evidence from MICS, 2007-08

2010 ◽  
Vol 49 (4II) ◽  
pp. 863-879
Author(s):  
Rashida Haq Rashida Haq ◽  
Azkar Ahmed ◽  
Siama Shafique
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Final Outcome ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Quality Of Life Research ◽  
Level Of Living ◽  
Broad Continuum

Since quality of life research is essentially concerned with measuring and monitoring welfare. In order to measure quality of life, one must have a theory of what makes up a good life [Cobb (2000)]. There is a variety of such theories and notions of what constitutes a ‗good life‘ and correspondingly different concepts of welfare and quality of life have been developed. Various approaches and operationalisations are to be distinguished, each of which reveals a different concept of welfare and thus highlights different components and dimensions [Noll (2000)]. Among the various efforts to operationalise welfare in general and the quality of life concept in particular, two contrary approaches are to be distinguished, which define the two extreme positions on a broad continuum of concepts currently available: the Scandinavian level of living approach [Erickson (1993)] and the American quality of life approach [Campbell (1976)]. The Scandinavian approach focuses almost exclusively on resources and objective living conditions, whereas the American approach emphasises the subjective well-being of individuals as a final outcome of conditions and processes.

On the strategy for establishing a socially strong state and developing the civic and public culture of the Russian population

2020 ◽  
pp. 13-22
Author(s):  
Nikolay I. Lapin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Culture ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Russian Population ◽  
The Political ◽  
Social Culture ◽  
Social State ◽  
Strong State ◽  
Economic Prerequisite

Author of the article characterizes the active-reasonable foundations of the formation of wórthy living conditions of the Russian population with the participation of a socially strong state and thanks to the All-Civilian Enlightenment the foundations of a mature composite-creating culture of interactions of citizens in society. The political and economic prerequisite for a wórthy life of well-being, and on its basis – a constitutional social state. To implement it, a mature composite-creative culture of interactions of citizens in society (civil-social culture) is needed. It is necessary to start moving in this direction now - with the preparation and experimental testing of the program of the All-Civil Enlightenment, clarification of the foundations and benefits of the mature state of this culture. An initiative by social and humanities professionals to create a project for such a programme is required.

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