AB051. Experiences of occupational injuries and illness and their aftermath among migrant contract workers in Taiwan: a qualitative study

Background: Migrant contract workers are employed to address labor shortages in specific sectors in Taiwan. While migrant workers were known to have a higher risk of occupational accidents than native workers, their post-injury experiences and their interactions with key stakeholders—such as employers, brokers, and government agencies—have not been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to explore their experiences after encountering occupational injuries or illnesses.

Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with 40 migrant workers who had sustained occupational injuries or work-related illnesses in Taiwan. Participants included 13 Vietnamese, 17 Indonesians, 8 Filipinos, and 2 Thais. Among them, 31 were factory workers, 4 were live-in care workers, 4 were fishery workers, and 1 was an agricultural worker. Additional information was gathered from interviews with five staff members from brokerage agencies and 10 representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Results: Most participants suffered temporary disabilities, and some experienced permanent disabilities. Although the majority expressed satisfaction with the medical care provided under Taiwan’s National Health Insurance program, many reported high psychological distress due to financial hardship and employment insecurity. Some workers also encountered hostile attitudes and adverse treatment by employers, including denial of work-relatedness of injuries, refusal to provide wage compensation during recovery, coercion to return to work prematurely, demanding contract termination, failure to provide accommodation and food during recovery, and even threats of deportation. While brokers often provided immediate assistance, their actions were largely constrained by employers’ decisions and authority.

Conclusions: The right to a safe workplace and access to fair compensation are fundamental labor rights that should not differ based on nationality or contract status. This study highlights significant gaps in occupational safety protections, occupational health services, and social support systems for migrant contract workers in Taiwan, underscoring the need for policy reform and targeted interventions.

Keywords: Migrant workers; occupational injury; workers’ compensation