148 Mobility of essential workers, immobility of care provision - a mixed-method study of Covid-19 meat factory outbreaks among migrant workers in a Dutch border region

Sep 30, 2026

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Aim: Meat packaging and processing facilities in the EU were among the most affected by Covid-19, with migrant workers forming a large share of positive cases. Following two outbreaks in 2020 in a Dutch border region, the study investigates care-provision challenges for migrant workers and identifies potential improvements for continuous cross-border care. Methods: Mixed-method outbreak investigation and in-depth interviews with public health professionals (n=26). Results: Two consecutive outbreaks with detailed timelines and substantial temporary agency work; care access was hindered by cross-border living arrangements and coordination barriers, especially when workers became ill.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

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2nd World Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race & Health Abstract Book vi39 communication barriers between migrants, health authorities of three countries, factories’ management, and employment agencies; 3) being employed through the agencies, while on quarantine, migrants were not receiving salary, which led to some of them breaking the quarantine and returning to their home countries. Conclusions: Being assets to economy, migrants were recruited to work in food production. Yet, when became ill, they were often excluded from national healthcare provision. While EU is based on the idea of free movement of goods and services, it is crucial to ensure that people delivering those can have access to the continuous cross-border care. , Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.107 148 Mobility of essential workers, immobility of care provision: a mixed-method study of Covid-19 meat factory outbreaks among migrant workers in a Dutch border region Alena Kamenshchikova1,2,3, Ans Timmermans4, Klasien Horstman2, Volker Hackert4, Christian J.P.A. Hoebe1,3,4 1Department of Social Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands 2Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands 3Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Infection Prevention, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands 4Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, Living Lab Public Health Mosa, South Limburg Public Health Service, Heerlen, Netherlands OP 12: Health Services 4, B210 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 17:00 - 18:00 Aim: Meat packaging and processing facilities in the EU were among the most affected by Covid-19 with migrant workers constituting a significant number of positive cases. Following two Covid-19 outbreaks in meat factories in a Dutch border region in 2020, this paper investigates specific challenges of care provision for migrant workers, as well as map potential areas for improving cross-border care continuity. Methods: This is a mixed-method study, including outbreak investigation of the two meat factory outbreaks in a Dutch border region that took place in October-December 2020; and in-depth interviews with public health professionals involved in the response to these outbreaks (n ¼ 26). Results: The Covid-19 outbreaks took place consecutively with first from 17.10.2020 until 30.11.2020 (116 positive cases, out of 203), and second from 02.11.2020 until 10.12.2020 (33 positive cases, out of 97) . Majority (75%; and 69%) of workers were temporary, employed through 12 employment agencies based in at least 3 countries, and were mostly living in group accommodations. Provision of care to migrant workers was complicated due to several reasons: 1) while meat factories were located in the Netherlands, migrants often lived in group accommodations in Belgium or Germany requiring cross-border coordination of care delivery and data exchange; 2)

FAQs

What is the main aim of this study?

The study examines challenges in care provision for migrant workers after two Covid-19 outbreaks in meat factories and maps potential areas to improve continuous cross-border care.

How was the research conducted?

It used a mixed-method design combining outbreak investigation for two events in 2020 and in-depth interviews with public health professionals involved in the response (n=26).

What were key findings about workers and care provision?

Outbreaks occurred consecutively, involving many temporary workers employed through agencies. Care provision was complicated by cross-border coordination needs, living arrangements in Belgium or Germany, and barriers affecting access to healthcare when workers became ill.

Sep 30, 2026

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