Language support for migrant workers in healthcare settings remains insufficient, prompting calls for systematic improvements to ensure effective communication and fair treatment, according to advocacy group Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2).
The organization, which provides assistance to injured migrant workers filing claims under the Work Injury Compensation Act, highlighted that language barriers frequently leave patients unable to fully understand diagnoses or ask questions about their treatment. This communication gap can undermine patient autonomy and lead to anxiety during medical consultations.
A common practice cited by TWC2 involves doctors relying on employer representatives, such as safety supervisors, to interpret during medical appointments. Although convenient, this arrangement raises concerns over conflicts of interest. Injured workers have reported instances where the employer’s perspective appeared to shape descriptions of workplace incidents and influence key clinical decisions, including the issuance of medical leave, while patients themselves remained excluded from direct dialogue due to linguistic challenges.
To mitigate these issues, TWC2 operates a Hospital Accompaniment Team composed of experienced volunteers who support migrant workers during medical visits. The group stresses the importance of patients exercising full agency in consultations, noting that clear communication can enhance understanding of prognosis, foster trust in healthcare providers, and reduce patient anxiety. Nevertheless, the organization acknowledges that volunteer efforts are insufficient to substitute for comprehensive, system-wide language services.
TWC2 pointed to Singapore’s court system as a model, where professional interpreters are routinely provided to uphold fairness and facilitate accurate communication. They argue that similar practices should be adopted in healthcare to protect patient autonomy, confidentiality, and informed consent. While digital tools like translation apps and artificial intelligence can assist with basic communication, these technologies are not equipped to handle the complexities of clinical interpretation in medical settings.
The advocacy group emphasized that hospitals alone should not bear the responsibility for addressing language barriers. They called for stronger government leadership to implement policies that safeguard the medical welfare of migrant workers, framed as a societal duty given the crucial economic contributions these workers make.