Browsing by Author "Mohamed, Abdulkadir"

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    Exploring health, safety, and wellbeing : perceptions and experiences of workers of refugee background in New Zealand : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Occupational Health and Safety at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Mohamed, Abdulkadir
    Introduction: New Zealand is acknowledged as among the most diverse nations in the world, distinguished for its acceptance of individuals from an array of backgrounds as citizens and permanent residents. Refugees have sought safety and security in New Zealand since before World War I, adding to the rich tapestry and culture of the nation. Over time, the nation has proudly endorsed the United Nations Refugee Quota Programme, actively resettling refugees from across the world. Despite this long history of refugee resettlement, there is limited knowledge about the experiences of refugee workers in New Zealand, particularly from an occupational health and safety perspective. Aim: This thesis explores the perceptions and experiences of refugee background workers in New Zealand, aiming to present in depth the complex challenges and circumstances they encounter in the workforce. Method: The research utilises a qualitative approach, integrating semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to draw out a pattern in the rich narratives of 13 refugee participants. Results: Key themes examined are self-perception, overworking, workplace injury, lack of health and safety at the workplace, discrimination, lack of government support, community support, coping mechanisms and language barrier. Conclusion: The findings reveal that while refugee background workers bring valuable skills and experiences to the New Zealand workforce, they often face significant obstacles, such a discrimination, overrepresentation in injury, perceive a lack of support from the Government and overall face difficulty fully integrating into the workforce. Furthermore, the study underscores the critical need for targeted research for the refugee community’s occupational health and wellbeing. Additionally, we suggest interventions such as the provision of vocational training and supportive mechanisms to address occupational injury rates of this population.