Work

“When the Bills Keep on Coming:” the Experiences of Seafood Processors During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Essential workers were at increased risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, including seafood processors who are often rendered invisible within the public sphere. To examine the health and safety concerns of seafood processors, many who are low income or im/migrant workers on H-2B visas, our team conducted qualitative research with 44 participants. We found that in addition to high occupational health hazards that existed before the pandemic, COVID-19 increased workers' financial risks, which put them in more dangerous health and safety positions, since they needed to work through physical and mental health illness. These financial risks can be seen through the themes of paid sick leave, mental health, economic duress, and primary care access. We conclude with three recommendations to the H-2B visa worker program, which will not only decrease health disparities for im/migrant workers, but also increase health equity across seafood worker populations.

Source: Journal of Agromedicine

DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2024.2421585

Authors: Shannon Guillot-Wright, Laura Porterfield, Brenda Wilson, Lacy Davis

Institutions: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, University of California San Diego

Language: English

Topic: Occupational Health and Safety in Workplaces

Subfield: Occupational Therapy

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities