Paper short abstract:

Intra-regional agricultural labor migration is common in West Africa. Labour migrants work long hours on farms but have limited access to health care when ill due to poor infrastructural facilities. Receiving centres need to honor the International Organisation on Migation protocol on health.

Paper long abstract:

Intra-regional agricultural labor migration is common in West Africa but the extent to which migrants receive fair treatment in the areas of destination is under represented in research. Labour migrants work long hours on farms but have limited access to health care when ill due to poor infrastructural facilities. Using rural communities in south western Nigeria as a case study, the extent to which migrants from neighboring countries (Ghana, Benin Republic and Togo) access to health care services and the limitations experienced were examined. A simple random sampling process was used to select 140 West African migrants in Itesiwaju Local Government Area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric tools. The results show that the educational status was generally low and less than 50 percent had legal resident status. Although over 50 percent complained of one form of ill health or the other, many of them do not have access to health care facilities. A major reason is the fact that health infrastructure is generally poor in rural areas; and their is no policy in place that accords priority to rural migrant workers. The study recommends that receiving centres should honor the International Organisation on Migration protocol on health.