Women migrant workers 2008, para. 17

Paragraph
Paragraph text
Women migrant workers often suffer from inequalities that threaten their health. They may be unable to access health services, including reproductive health services, because insurance or national health schemes are not available to them, or they may have to pay unaffordable fees. As women have health needs different from those of men, this aspect requires special attention. They may also suffer from a lack of arrangements for their safety at work, or provisions for safe travel between the worksite and their place of accommodation. Where accommodation is provided, especially in female-dominated occupations such as factory, farm or domestic work, living conditions may be poor and overcrowded, without running water or adequate sanitary facilities, or they may lack privacy and hygiene. Women migrant workers are sometimes subjected to sex-discriminatory mandatory HIV/AIDS testing or testing for other infections without their consent, followed by provision of test results to agents and employers rather than to the worker herself. This may result in loss of job or deportation if test results are positive.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Document type
General Comment / Recommendation
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Economic Rights
  • Equality & Inclusion
  • Health
  • Movement
Person(s) affected
  • Persons on the move
  • Women
Year
2008
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
CEDAW General Recommendation No. 26, Women migrant workers (2008), para. 17.
Paragraph number
17