Promoting Safety Climate Training for Migrant Workers through Non-Technical Skills: A Step Forward to Inclusion

Abstract

Currently, the number of migrant workers is significantly high and represents a global issue. The impact of the negative aspects of employment and psychosocial risk factors in the workplace on migrants’ health and well-being has been underestimated. This study focused first on a perceptions analysis of the diversity climate, safety climate and experiences of discrimination of migrant workers, and then on testing whether and how the contents and meanings of ad hoc training were transferable and transferred to their workplace. Through a program of 4 phases (pre-screening, intervention, assessment and follow-up) and a series of interviews and focus groups, 24 participants were recruited for the study. Consistent with literature, the findings confirmed a poor perception of diversity and safety climate, and several discrimination experiences. The training outcomes showed an improvement of the individual perception of safety, motivation and self-efficacy. In contrast, the work context is still perceived as closed and constraining, which makes complete transferability hard to achieve. Results are quite encouraging and bear out the need for training and the first positive effects on working conditions and quality of life. This study is one of the first attempts in Italy to integrate the analysis of migrants’ labor situation, training and its evaluation. Future studies are required.