Migrant care work in Taiwan: applying a feminist ethics of care to the relationships of ‘live-in’ care

Abstract

The myriad studies of migrant care workers adopt a rights perspective to address their liminal status and experience of exploitation. However, this perspective may fail to recognise the complexities of care and caring. Through describing the lived experiences of migrant live-in care workers and care recipients, this study illustrates the dynamics of care work and care relationships. It presents the complex dimensions of care work embedded in the intersections of labour, love, empathy, reciprocity, power and interdependency. A feminist ethics of care can be an alternative perspective in order to improve the well-being and interests of migrant care workers and care recipients.