Trajectories of immigrant workers with work-related injuries: the path to mistrust

Abstract

In Quebec, injured workers are entitled to medical assistance, wage replacement, and rehabilitation. While many cases are resolved smoothly, ethnographic research reveals that immigrant workers may face disruptions that foster mistrust and hinder recovery. This study examines how mistrust shapes the rehabilitation experiences of immigrant workers and identifies its root causes and impacts. Based on ethnographic observations at a Montreal rehabilitation clinic and 21 in-depth interviews with injured immigrants workers conducted between 2020 and 2024, the research highlights how mistrust emerges from experiences of racism, discrimination, perceived betrayal, employer practices, conflicting medical opinions, and fraudulent behaviors. These factors, often intersecting across institutional systems, contribute to a cumulative burden that impedes recovery and well-being. The findings underscore the need for systemic changes to build trust and improve rehabilitation outcomes for immigrant workers.