A Scoping Literature Review of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among South Asian Immigrant Women in Canada

Abstract

Global migration has recently garnered intense interest from a public health standpoint. Topics concerning migration, such as push-pull theories, resettlement stress, the healthy immigrant effect, cultural assimilation, and occupational health issues, are increasingly being studied. The occupational health of migrant workers — particularly female workers — is an especially important area for research. Migrant women have an increased vulnerability to occupational musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in low-paid and gendered occupations such as those in the textile, hairdressing, cleaning and garment-work industries, accompanied by mental stress due to production demands. One of the fastest growing communities in Canada is that of female migrants from South Asian (SA) countries, comprised of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Nepal.