IOM's Regional Office in San José and the Central American
Population Center (CCP) of the University of Costa Rica have signed
an agreement to carry out studies on the health needs of migrant
workers in Costa Rica and to promote a national debate on health
and migration issues.

Costa Rica is home to an estimated 400,000 Nicaraguan migrant
workers, who are mostly employed in agriculture and in the booming
construction sector or as domestic workers and security guards.

Without permission to live and work in the country, a majority
face poor working and living conditions and a range of health
challenges. Their access to the public health system is uneven and
their participation in state-sponsored insurance schemes remains
very limited. As a result, much of the healthcare provided to
migrants takes place in the emergency room of local hospitals.

"There are very few studies on the health needs of migrant
communities in Costa Rica," explains IOM's Rosilyne Borland. "The
country urgently needs accurate information on the use of health
services by migrants in order to adapt national policies and
identify sustainable solutions for the future."

Combining the technical expertise of CCP and the operational
experience of IOM, a comprehensive research programme will be
carried out to better define the health needs of Nicaraguan
migrants in Costa Rica.

"The Nicaraguan migrant population in Costa Rica is becoming a
solid minority in the country," notes Roger Bonilla, researcher of
the Central American Population Centre. "Although the Centre has
carried out research on population themes such as migration and
health throughout Central America, better information on Nicaraguan
migration to Costa Rica is urgently needed."

For more information, please contact:

Rosilyne Borland

IOM San José

Tel: +506 221 5348 ext 120

E-mail: "mailto:arborland@iom.int">arborland@iom.int

or

Roger Bonilla (CCP)

Tel +506 207-4810

E-mail: "mailto:rebonill@ccp.ucr.ac.cr">rebonill@ccp.ucr.ac.cr