Work life, relationship, and policy determinants of health and well-being among Filipino domestic Workers in China: a qualitative study

Brian J Hall,Melissa R Garabiles,Carl A Latkin

doi:10.1186/s12889-019-6552-4

Abstract

BackgroundOverseas Filipino workers (OFWs) comprise one of the largest populations of migrant workers globally. Within China, they represent the largest group of imported domestic workers. Little is known about their working conditions or how this might affect their health and wellbeing.MethodsThis qualitative study explored the working conditions and risk factors for poor health in a sample of temporary female Filipino domestic workers in Macao, China. Focus group discussions with female domestic workers (n = 22) and in-depth interviews with key informants (n = 7) were conducted.ResultsDomestic workers reported physical (e.g., hypertension, chronic pain, diabetes, poor sleep), and mental health problems (depression, anxiety), and addictive behaviors (gambling, alcohol misuse), along with significant structural, linguistic, financial, and cultural barriers to healthcare access to address these concerns. Adverse working conditions including poor treatment and abuse by employers, lack of privacy and inadequate sleeping areas in employers’ homes or in crowded boarding houses, language barriers, inadequate and poor enforcement of labor protections, and discrimination. Domestic workers also cited exorbitant agency fees and remittances causing significant financial stress. Kinship network ties with family members back home were fraught with infidelity, difficulty parenting, misuse of remittances, and family misconceptions of domestic workers’ situation abroad. Lack of quality social support and peer social networks exacerbated these conditions.ConclusionsIn this sample of Filipino migrant domestic workers, stressors experienced within the host country were commonly reported. Indebtedness and low salaries limits social mobility. Psychosocial and policy-level interventions are needed to improve the health and wellbeing of this population of migrant women.

Highlights

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) comprise one of the largest populations of migrant workers globally
The current study aimed to identify key health issues migrant Filipino domestic workers were facing in their post-migration context, and the social determinants of these issues, in order to develop plans and policies to improve their health and well-being
Participants were told that the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were about problems experienced by the community of Filipino domestic workers in Macao

Summary

Introduction

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) comprise one of the largest populations of migrant workers globally. Unskilled and low wage workers are socially vulnerable and frequently report poor health, and mental health, and labor exploitation [7]. Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) comprise a large population primarily motivated to leave home to seek employment abroad due to poverty and lack of job opportunities [13, 38]. According to the Survey on Overseas Filipinos, as of 2016, there were over 2.2 million OFWs globally [32]. Economic disadvantage in home countries is often accompanied by poor medical care, exposure to violence, and other traumas, which can decrease population health before leaving the country [19, 45]

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