[The migratory process, working conditions and health in immigrant workers in Spain (the ITSAL project)]

To describe the migratory process (reasons for migrating, time of residence), legal status and the personal, working and health characteristics of the immigrants with work experience in Spain.

We performed a cross sectional survey in a sample stratified by country of origin (Colombia, Ecuador, Morocco and Romania), legal status and sex. Personal interviews were conducted with 2434 workers (57.4% men). Information on the migratory process, working conditions, health profile, and work and life expectations was analyzed. A frequency comparison by country of origin was carried out.

Ninety percent of the sample was aged<45 years and most had secondary education (51%). Most of the people surveyed had migrated for economic and working reasons and 63% had economic dependents. They were working in jobs that were below their educational level and reported problems concerning the type of contract, salaries, and the length of the working week, which was often more than 40 hours. The immigrants frequently reported general health problems (18%), mental health problems (27%), absence from work due to health problems (48%) and occupational injuries requiring medical care (23%). A 51% of them wanted to stay in Spain and 48% reported that their expectations of emigration to Spain had been met.

The immigrant workers included in this study had limited opportunities for work and experienced precarious conditions and social vulnerability. The data varied by country of origin. The special needs of this collective should be taken into account to establish public health policies and strategies.