The disadvantaged group in the working life: Occupational healt and security problems of the Syrıa immigrants In Hatay

Within this study, it was tried to determine the occupational health and safety problems of Syrian immigrants in Hatay prefecture; the inequal treatment they experience, and the health problems arising from the working conditions of these immigrant workers, who are considered a disadvantaged group in daily working life due to their status. As a result of this study, it has been detected that 99,4 percent of these immigrants work without union, they earn less than minimum wage; 75.7% of them had to work for a different job in Turkey, other than the one they had back in Syria; 40.8% had at least one health complaint which is mostly caused by long-term heavy working conditions and ergonomic reasons related to their job; and 99.9% of them had not received any occupational health and safety training. Considering the unfavorable working conditions among the immigrant population and migrant workers in Turkey, it is suggested that legislators and occupational health and safety professionals should direct their attention to this group of workers as it is believed that occupational accidents and occupational diseases will increase in this group of workers.