<![CDATA[Stressed, isolated: Migrants face increased mental health risks amid coronavirus crisis]>

The health of international migrant workers has been neglected by host countries and cities, such as Hong Kong and Macau, during the new coronavirus epidemic, a recent paper in the medical journal Lancet Psychiatry found.

Researchers said domestic workers were particularly vulnerable and their mental health could worsen amid the new coronavirus outbreak, which began in December in the mainland Chinese city of Wuhan and has already spread to more than 30 countries.

At least 95 per cent of the world's 150 million international migrant workers live in regions in which cases of the Covid-19 disease have been confirmed, the paper noted.

Migrant workers picnic in Victoria Park in Hong Kong. Photo: Bloomberg alt=Migrant workers picnic in Victoria Park in Hong Kong. Photo: Bloomberg

"The absence of a coordinated response for international migrant workers highlights a key deficiency in public health planning," said the paper, which was co-authored by five international researchers, including Brian J. Hall, director of the Global and Community Mental Health Research Group at the University of Macau.

"Compared with other international migrants, for instance international students, international migrant workers encounter more barriers in accessing health services in host countries " such as inadequate health insurance " particularly migrant domestic workers."

There are about 400,000 foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong, while the neighbouring city of Macau is home to more than 28,600.

The paper, which was published on February 18, came as the first Filipino domestic worker in Hong Kong was diagnosed with the new coronavirus.

Another case involving a 29-year-old female domestic worker was confirmed in Hong Kong this week.

According to Philippine consul general Raly Tejada, the second woman was in a stable condition in hospital, while the migrant who was first infected is expected to be discharged in the coming days.

Although many are now concerned about their physical health, the coronavirus crisis is also having an impact on another level. "Under normal conditions, international migrant workers have a high burden of common mental disorders " for example, depression " and a lower quality of life than local populations," the journal said. "This situation could worsen during the Covid-19 epidemic due to the potential and fear of governmental-imposed quarantine and lost income."

Some migrant domestic workers in places such as Hong Kong and Macau have lost their jobs since the outbreak began. Many have also struggled to obtain protective items, such as masks.

Yosa Wariyanti, president of the Indonesian Migrant Workers' Union in Macau and one of the paper's authors, said conflicts between employers and domestic workers had become more frequent in recent weeks.

"Some workers have been threatened and pressured not to leave their employers' houses" and told that if they did, their work visas would be cancelled, the union leader said. Unlike in Hong Kong, domestic workers in Macau find their own accommodation and many live in boarding houses with other migrants.

The former Portuguese colony has seen 10 confirmed cases of the infection, but most have already been discharged from hospital. Hong Kong has reported 94 cases and two deaths.

Eni Lestari, chairwoman of the International Migrants Alliance, said many domestic workers in Hong Kong were experiencing anxiety and increased stress because of isolation as well as due to a heavier workload, as employers have become more demanding amid fears over virus transmission.

The migrant leader said the situation for domestic workers had worsened since early February. "After the government encouraged workers to stay at home, many have been denied holidays and they have not been allowed to go out. They don't feel that they are trusted that they can take care of themselves," Lestari said.

"Employers are more suspicious and workers feel stigmatised. Before they could buy their own things, but because they are told not to go out, some even have limited food now," the union leader said.

"There are also a lot of worries among those who need to find their own masks and many now fear having their contracts terminated," Lestari said.

Bernadette Wo, a lecturer at the University of Hong Kong, said she was aware of one case where a domestic worker had not been given a day off in about two months.

She noted that it has been a challenging time for everyone's mental health. "I think we need to be gentler, more flexible and compassionate during this time. Not the other way around," she said.

People visit the Ruins of St Paul's in Macau, where casinos have been closed for two weeks because of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Photo: Reuters alt=People visit the Ruins of St Paul's in Macau, where casinos have been closed for two weeks because of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Photo: Reuters

Researchers said international migrant workers should be provided with more accessible health care during the epidemic, while public health campaigns need to be available in multiple languages and diffused through channels and networks used by migrants as soon as possible.

In Hong Kong, foreign domestic workers " who mostly hail from the Philippines and Indonesia " and other ethnic minority groups have complained about a delay in receiving updated information on the epidemic, as well as about preventive measures.

In addition, the researchers argued that more countries should ratify the United Nations' international convention that protects migrant workers' rights and their families,ensuring that migrant workers' health is not neglected in future epidemics and disasters.

"Regardless of international migrant workers communities' self-reliance and resilience, addressing their health needs should be made an urgent public health priority," the paper said.

This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.