Fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries and diseases among migrant and native workers in South Korea.

Abstract

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. 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. 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. 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.