Protecting the Rights of Women Migrant Domestic Workers: Structural Violence and Competing Interests in the Philippines and Sri Lanka

Migrant women across Asia disproportionately work in precarious, insecure, and informal employment sectors that are subject to few regulations, pay low wages, and expose them to harm, such as domestic work. This book develops a comprehensive, intersectional, rights-based approach to better protect women migrant domestic workers against exploitation in the Philippines and Sri Lanka. It argues that these two sending states are guilty of structural violence by sustaining a network of institutions, policies, and practices that disadvantage and discriminate against women migrant domestic workers. The research covers the entire migration process, from pre-departure to overseas employment, followed by return and reintegration.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Migrant women across Asia face significant challenges in accessing secure and well-paid employment, often being relegated to precarious, insecure, and informal sectors that lack regulations and offer low wages. Domestic work, in particular, is one of the most prevalent forms of employment for migrant women, yet it often comes with heightened risks of exploitation, gender-based violence, torture, and even death.
The scale and severity of these issues have garnered increasing attention in recent years, leading to calls for the recognition and protection of the human and labor rights of migrant domestic workers. The Philippines and Sri Lanka are two of the leading labor-sending states of women domestic workers in Asia, with their economies heavily reliant on the remittances these workers send back home. However, these two countries have been criticized for perpetuating structural violence against women migrant domestic workers through a network of institutions, policies, and practices that disadvantage and discriminate against them.
This book aims to address these issues by developing a comprehensive, intersectional, and rights-based approach to better protect women migrant domestic workers against exploitation. Through extensive original research, the book argues that the Philippines and Sri Lanka are guilty of structural violence by sustaining a network of institutions, policies, and practices that systematically disadvantage and discriminate against women migrant domestic workers. The research covers the entire migration process, from pre-departure to overseas employment, followed by return and reintegration.
One of the key findings of the book is that state institutions play a critical role in perpetuating structural violence against women migrant domestic workers. The authors argue that these institutions fail to provide adequate protection and support to these workers, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. For example, the authors highlight the lack of legal protections and labor standards for domestic workers, which leaves them open to exploitation by employers and recruitment agencies.
Furthermore, state institutions also fail to address the root causes of migration, such as poverty and inequality, which drive women to seek employment abroad. Instead, they prioritize economic growth and development at the expense of the rights and well-being of migrant workers.
To address these issues, the book proposes a range of recommendations, including the establishment of robust legal frameworks and labor standards for domestic workers, the implementation of policies to promote gender equality and social inclusion, and the increased investment in education and training programs for migrant workers. The authors also call for the recognition and protection of the rights of migrant domestic workers through international and regional agreements, such as the International Labour Organization's Convention on Domestic Workers and the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.
In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the growing body of literature on the rights of migrant domestic workers. By highlighting the role of state institutions in perpetuating structural violence against these workers, the book provides a roadmap for policymakers and advocates to work towards a more just and equitable society for all migrant workers, including women domestic workers.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032015606