Ways of living and working of Haitian immigrants in Western Paraná/Brazil

To analyze the migratory process, ways of living, and working conditions of Haitians residing in the municipality of Cascavel, Paraná, as well as their impact on health conditions, consumption patterns, and political and ideological life.

Method:

cross-sectional observational design. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted from December 2019 to December 2020 with 128 participants who were Haitian immigrants residing in the municipality. Simple descriptive statistics were used for the data analysis, and the findings were discussed in conjunction with relevant literature, with the social determination theory serving as a reference.

Results:

The majority of participants were male 75.0% (n = 96), young adults 71.0% (n = 91), speakers of two or more languages 87.5% (n = 112), catholic 61.7% (n = 79), high school education or higher 57.0% (n = 73). They consider their life and health conditions good but are unsatisfied with the working conditions and salary.

Conclusion:

Haitian immigrants’ arrival facilitation to work in cold stores may indicate labor exploitation of economically and socially vulnerable groups. Immigration policies and the recognition of the educational level of their country of origin may contribute to improving the living condition of this population.

DESCRIPTORS
Emigration and Immigration; Social Determinants of Health; Health-Disease Process

Variables	N	%
Sex
Male	96	75.0
Female	32	25.0
Marital status
Married	48	37.5
Single	17	13.3
Separated/divorced	6	4.7
Widowed	3	2.3
Stable union	54	42.2
Age
18 to 25 year old	17	13.3
26 to 30 year old	27	21.0
31 to 35 year old	42	32.8
36 to 40 year old	22	17.2
41 to 45 year old	14	11.0
46 to 50 year old	6	4.7
Language
1 language	16	12.5
2 languages or more	112	87.5
Educational level
Middle School complete/unc.	37	28.9
High school complete/unc.	73	57.0
Technical school	13	10.1
University education	5	4.0

Variables	N	%
1 ^st city of residence
São Paulo	45	35.2
Rio de Janeiro	8	6.3
Acre	4	3.1
Cascavel	38	29.7
Foz do Iguaçu	8	6.2
Toledo	12	9.4
Porto Alegre	4	3.1
Joinville	6	4.7
Curitiba	3	2.3
Way of entrance
Land border	4	3.1
Airplane	124	96.9
Year of arrival
2012	4	3.1
2013	9	7.1
2014	11	8.6
2015	32	25
2016	17	13.3
2017	25	19.5
2018	14	10.9
2019	13	10.2
2020	3	2.3
Migration process
Own initiative	56	43.7
Brazilian government program	12	9.4
Businessmen invitation	5	3.9
With family help	36	28.1
Other way	19	14.8
Work carried out in the origin country
Trading	52	40.6
Agriculture	32	25
Student	13	10.2
Did not work	12	9.4
Driver	9	7.0
Teacher/High school	8	6.2
Street vendor	2	1.6
Evaluation regarding their living condition in Brazil.
Good	87	67.9
Bad	41	32.1

Variables	N	%
Employment relationship
CLT	96	75.0
Self-employed	9	7.0
Do not work	23	18.0
Knowledge about labor rights
Yes	93	73.6
No	35	27.4
Work sector
Industry slaughterhouses/por	76	72.4
Civil construction	17	16.2
Service sector	12	11.4
Work stations
Cuttin	64	61.0
Washing	12	11.4
Bricklayer auxiliary	15	14.3
Bricklayer	2	1.9
Housekeeper	3	2.9
Driver/apps	9	8.5
Training
Yes	36	28.1
No	92	71.9
Transportation to work
Bus	88	83.8
Bike	8	7.6
Own car	3	2.8
By foot	6	5.8
Working hour/day
8h	78	74.3
More than 8h	27	25.7
Time at work
3 months or more	11	10.5
1 to 2 years	41	39.0
3 years or more	53	50.5
Income
1 minimum wage	97	92.4
Up to two minimum wage	8	7.6
Work environment
Excellent	2	1.9
Good	8	7.6
Regular	12	11.4
Bad	83	79.1
Work satisfaction
Satisfied	7	6.7
Unsatisfied	98	93.3

Variables	N^o	%
Health issues
Self-medication	13	10.2
Pharmacy	25	19.5
Basic Care Unit	38	29.7
Hospital	52	40.6
Use/Medication
Paracetamol	13	10.1
Other/not specified	22	17.2
Do not use	93	72.7
Physical activity
GYM	5	3.9
Sports	12	9.4
Biking	25	19.6
Do not practice	86	67.1
Health prevention
Immunization	28	21.8
Medical appointments	33	25.9
No	67	52.3
Nutrition evaluation
Very healthy	37	28.9
Healthy	67	52.3
Unhealthy	24	18.8
Health status
Good	93	72.7
Bad	35	27.3
Sick leave
1 to 6 months	18	14.0
More than 6 months	7	5.5
Never	103	80.5
SUS evaluation
Excellent	94	73.4
Good	19	14.8
Bad	6	4.7
Terrible	9	7.1
Social programs access
Yes	1	1.0
No	127	99

Variables	N	%
Type of residence
Rented	128	100
N. of rooms
1 to 2 rooms	16	12.5
2 to 3 rooms	38	29.7
4 to 5 rooms	74	57.8
N. of people living at home
1 to 2 residents	37	28.9
3 to 4 residents	73	57.0
5 to 6 residents	18	14.1
Main expenses
Remittances	33	25.8
Rent/Food	95	74.2
Access to Public Education
Yes	3	2.3
No	125	97.7
Access to public Health
Yes	116	90.6
No	12	9.4
Religion
Protestant	33	25.8
Catholic	79	61.7
Did not answered	16	12.5
Economic/Support
Relatives	27	21.1
Friends	86	67.2
Did not answered	15	11.7
Discrimination
Yes	17	13.3
No	111	86.7
Recreation
Watching TV	74	57.8
Talking to friends	37	29.0
Music	17	13.2
Membership in trade unions
Yes
No	128	100

Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 419 , 05403-000 São Paulo - SP/ Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 11) 3061-7553, - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: reeusp@usp.br

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[1] Corresponding author: Jean Bart David Av. Tarquínio Joslin dos Santos, 1300, Lot. Universitario das Americas 85870-650 – Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brazil jeanbartdvd326@gmail.com

Brasil

Brasil

Ways of living and working of Haitian immigrants in Western Paraná/Brazil* * Extracted from the Dissertation: “Condições de vida e trabalho de imigrantes haitianos residentes no município de Cascavel/Paraná”, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, 2021.

Modo de vida y trabajo de inmigrantes haitianos en el oeste de Paraná/Brasil

ABSTRACT

Objective:

Method:

Results:

Conclusion:

Ways of living and working of Haitian immigrants in Western Paraná/Brazil^* * Extracted from the Dissertation: “Condições de vida e trabalho de imigrantes haitianos residentes no município de Cascavel/Paraná”, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, 2021.