Migrant Workers Research Articles

“But on Sunday, They Are Free”

This article examines the site of the home in Baby Ruth Villarama's 2016 documentary Sunday Beauty Queen to better understand how tomboy migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong mess up and queer domesticity. By focusing on the appearances in the film of the home of Leo Selomenio, a tomboy Filipino migrant domestic helper and organizer of Sunday beauty pageants, the author explores alternative modes of care performed by tomboys that refuse respectability politics as they operate within transnational migrant labor structures. Despite the regulatory and confining modes of racialized and gendered care that structure global care work, Selomenio reconfigures and reshapes his home to operate as a site of refuge, an archive, a gathering space, and a site of resistance. Engaging in what the author terms “tomboy domesticity,” Selomenio utilizes his control over home space and time as a result of his exemption from the live-in requirement of his work to ensure collective survival in the face of labor precarity. Selomenio's performance of care ethics that refuse the state's neglect of domestic helpers articulates tomboy and diasporic Filipino life as valuable outside of its capacity to labor.

Migrant Workers Remittances in Fostering Country-of-origin Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion: Life Cycle-permanent Income Hypothesis

Migrant Workers Remittances in Fostering Country-of-origin Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion: Life Cycle-permanent Income Hypothesis

Empirical research on decent work and precarious work for semi-skilled and unskilled blue-collar workers: A scoping review

Recognising that many workers worldwide often face poverty and exploitation, the International Labour Organisation aims to promote decent and productive work opportunities for all. We conducted a scoping review to get an overall view of current academic literature on decent work and precarious work for samples of blue-collar workers. The studies included in this review, focused on empirical research conducted from 2006 onwards, that primarily investigated decent work or precarious work among semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers. The review team used a data-charting form and collected information from thirty-five articles. Most recent studies (2020–2023) were related to the experiences and livelihoods of non-traditional blue-collar workers namely platform drivers and informal waste pickers. Before 2020, the most commonly studied theme related to the experiences of migrant workers. The findings shed light on the experiences of these workers, particularly in South Africa and India and provide valuable insight into their work experiences for further discussion.

Enthusiastic Study of Children of Indonesia Migrant Workers in Selangor, Malaysia Who Do Not Have Access to Formal Education

The purpose of this study is to provide a description of the results of observations on the children of Malaysian migrant workers, especially about the enthusiasm or enthusiasm for learning children not only learning about understanding social sciences but one of them is learning religious science through religious science lessons and forms of application in the form of daily prayers, prayer readings, recitations and da'wah practices in the form of lectures. This material not only conveys the knowledge but also in practice and application as well as the way of delivery and good and correct lecture techniques, besides that also with lectures children can learn public speaking, speaking in public with good and directed conduct. Indonesia's children are future leaders and future generations of the Indonesia nation for the next 10 years, therefore the position of the young generation of Indonesia's children is very much needed. The enthusiasm for learning children in the Sungai Buloh area of Selangor has a very extraordinary spirit of learning. Most of the residents of the community in the Sungai Buloh Selangor area are Indonesia citizens who have lived in Malaysia, so there are quite a lot of children aged 7-13 years who are in elementary school. The Sungai Buloh Learning Studio is one of the main avenues for children of migrant workers to learn social and religious sciences, most of the people in the Sungai Buloh area of Selangor lack access to education due to their incomplete documents so that it is difficult for children to continue to public schools in Kuala Lumpur, this is one of the things that is worrisome because of the lack of access to education for the children of Indonesia migrant workers who are domiciled in the Sungai Buloh region of Selangor, Malaysia. With the enthusiasm of good children to learn but hindered by their incomplete documents, access to education for migrant workers living in the Sungai Buloh Selanggor area, Malaysia is quite difficult.

Associations Between Perceived Social Status, Discrimination, With Subjective Sleep Quality Among Migrant Care Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study examines the relationship between perceived social status, COVID-19-related discrimination, and sleep quality among 158 migrant care workers in Taiwan. Data were collected via computer-assisted interviews, assessing perceived social status with the MacArthur scale and sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The results revealed that higher perceived social status in reference to the destination country (B = 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.08, 0.53]; P = .008) and experience of media stigmatization (B = 0.52; 95% CI = [0.04, 0.99]; P = .03) were associated with higher global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, whereas perceived social status in reference to the home country and others forms of pandemic-related discrimination were not associated with PSQI scores. The study concludes that social comparison and stigmatization linked to sleep health of migrant care workers. Understanding these factors can inform the development of targeted interventions to address inequalities faced by migrants.

Understanding community-based mental health interventions among migrant workers in Singapore

BackgroundMigrants in Singapore face unique mental health risk factors and barriers to formal care. Within this context, the Migrant Writers of Singapore (an arts collective) has organised a community-based intervention to address mental health needs, the Mental Health Awareness and Well-Being Festival.AimTo understand migrants’ motivations for organising and participating in the Festival as a form of community-based mental health support, as well as their perspectives on the role and effectiveness of such interventions.MethodsThematic analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted in October and November 2023, with 10 members of MWS involved in the Festival.ResultsInterviewees were primarily motivated by personal experiences of giving or receiving peer support, or finding relief through MWS’s arts-based activities; and to a smaller extent by the need for greater mental health awareness among migrants. Interviewees saw the value of community-based interventions in: (i) easing loneliness, (ii) establishing solidarity, (iii) facilitating communication in help-seeking, and (iv) building longer-term social networks.ConclusionsFindings suggest that community-based interventions may be an enabler of peer support, and help address underlying mental health risk factors. Arts-based activities can enhance these interventions, though further research is required to evaluate concrete outcomes, and ascertain the wider applicability of these findings.

Indonesian Migrant Women Workers in Türkiye and Media Representation at Home: Precarity Works and Mediating the State Protection

This qualitative study examines the portrayal of Indonesian migrant women workers in Türkiye by major Indonesian online media outlets from 2019 to 2023. Using content analysis, the research explores dominant media representations surrounding workers in Türkiye's care service and tourism sectors. Findings reveal patterns of precarious work, exploitation, and vulnerability to undocumented employment, particularly involving Syrian employers. The study highlights a significant shift in media coverage from sensationalist reporting to echoing government narratives on combating undocumented migration. This shift aligns with Indonesia's labour-export policy reforms under President Jokowi, which aim to promote labour migration to formal sectors and distance the country's image from domestic worker exports. The research demonstrates how media reflects and reinforces state migrant protection policies through "domesticated protection." However, this approach inadvertently perpetuates victimization and potentially exacerbates vulnerabilities by stigmatizing unofficial migration channels. While intended to safeguard workers, stringent regulations may if not already contribute to increased undocumented migration. By analyzing the nexus between media representation, state policies, and migrant precarities, this study contributes to understanding the complex dynamics of labour migration in an emerging corridor, calling for a more nuanced approach to media coverage, policy-making, and future studies that acknowledges both migrant agency and structural challenges.

유자녀 여성 이주민의 ‘괜찮은 일’에 대한 합의적 질적 연구

The study explored the characteristics of “good work” as perceived by migrant women with young children, and the challenges and resources in their work experiences. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 migrant women with at least three years of work experience, and the interviews were analyzed using consensual qualitative research methods. The domains and categories that emerged from the analysis were reviewed by two external experts and revised, resulting in five domains and 23 categories. The results of the study revealed seven categories of decent work conditions perceived by migrant women: a work schedule that allows them to combine work and childcare, reasonable compensation, job security, welfare, an emotionally safe environment, moderate work intensity, and work that matches their level of Korean. In terms of migrant women's work experience, four domains and 16 categories were identified: the challenges of intersectionality of minority identities, psychological adaptive resources in work experience, social resources in work experience, and growth through working. The challenges of intersectionality of minority identities domain included language differences, work-family conflict, marginalization due to labeling as a migrant women, acculturation stress within the family, inaccessible institutional resources, and economic constraints. Psychological adaptive resources in the work experience domain included career adaptability, motivation, emotional regulation, and acculturation efforts. The social resources of the work experience domain included support from family and friends, support at work, support from organizations, and support from public policy. Finally, the categories of finding a better job and belonging were identified in the growth through the working domain. These findings are expected to contribute to the empirical understanding of decent work among migrant women and provide a basis for policy proposals to promote decent work.

New Trends in Migration from Kyrgyzstan to the Russian Federation

In recent decades, population migration has become one of the main components of socio-economic development of Kyrgyzstan. In recent years, Kyrgyz citizens have been working in Russia and Kazakhstan. A comparative analysis of the number and structure of flows of Kyrgyz labour migrants is carried out on the basis of data from a sample national survey of household budgets, the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the Federal Migration Service of Russia, the Main Directorate for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, and Rosstat. The key problems of the social and legal situation of Kyrgyz migrants in Russia were identified: lack of registration at the place of stay, restriction/ ban on entry, non-payment of wages, access to medical care, and receipt of pensions. Gradually, under the influence of external and internal factors, new trends of labour migration to the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, the Republic of Korea and Japan, Europe and America have emerged. Migration flows are becoming more and more organised, as they involve the country's public authorities, private employment agencies, international companies and other actors. The study shows that the key needs for Kyrgyz migrant workers in the near future are concentrated in the following regions (in addition to traditional destinations): first, Western European countries (Great Britain and Germany); second, East Asia (Republic of Korea and Japan); third, Eastern European countries (Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria); fourth, the Middle East (Turkey and the Gulf countries); fifth, Northern Europe (Sweden and Finland). The official discourse in Kyrgyzstan is increasingly gaining momentum on the need to transform migration policy from large-scale export of labour resources to employment of surplus labour resources within the country by creating new jobs and expanding production. New ideological approaches to the transition of Kyrgyzstan from the category of countries– exporters of labour resources to the category of countries actively developing their own production and labour market are practically formed.

Participatory Strategies for Empowering Indonesian Migrant Worker Unions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Improving Welfare and Rights

Participatory Strategies for Empowering Indonesian Migrant Worker Unions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Improving Welfare and Rights

Влияние трудовой миграции на технологическое развитие стран ЕАЭС

The formation of a single labor market in the EAEU creates new opportunities and risks for national economies: the free movement of labor resources within the integration association affects not only the level of wages or employment, but also leads to more complex, complex consequences for donor and recipient countries. Using correlation analysis, the paper verifies the hypothesis that the reverse spillover effect associated with the return of migrant workers to their home countries contributes not only to the growth of value added in labor donor countries, but also stimulates demand for new technologies and services, which ultimately leads to an increase in the level of technological development of EAEU countries. As a result of the analysis, it was found that there is no statistically significant relationship between the variables under study – labor migration does not have a significant impact on the level of technological development of the EAEU countries. The results of the study can be used to develop a strategy of technological development of the EAEU countries, taking into account the parameters of external labor migration.

Technological Advancements and Organizational Discrimination: The Dual Impact of Industry 5.0 on Migrant Workers

This study explores the impact of Industry 5.0 on discriminatory behaviors toward migrant employees within organizations. Through semi-structured qualitative interviews with 15 migrant workers in the UK, this research identifies key challenges faced by migrant employees amidst the integration of advanced technologies like AI and robotics in HRM systems. Thematic analysis reveals that while Industry 5.0 has the potential to mitigate human biases, it can also perpetuate existing prejudices if not managed effectively. This study highlights two main themes: the experiences of discrimination and challenges in the context of Industry 5.0, and the role of technology in HRM systems. The findings indicate that automated HR systems can both reduce and increase biases, highlighting the importance of inclusive practices and targeted support programs to help migrant workers adapt to a technologically advanced labor market. This research contributes to the literature by providing insights into the duality of technological advancements in reducing and reinforcing workplace discrimination.

Understanding the Cultural Politics Experience of Indonesian Male Domestic Helpers in Malaysia

This research explores the cultural-politics dynamics of Indonesian male domestic workers in Malaysia as they confront and challenge societal prejudices while taking on fatherhood-associated responsibilities. It delves into the obstacles these men face due to ingrained gender stereotypes that question their suitability for domestic roles, particularly in a foreign cultural context. The primary objective is to understand how these men redefine their identities and assert their roles as nurturers and providers, challenging traditional masculine ideals. This study uses a qualitative research design and a narrativization approach to explore the experiences of Indonesian male domestic helpers. Through in-depth interviews and personal narratives, the research reveals how these men navigate their roles as caregivers and fathers, challenging traditional gender norms and gaining recognition within their households and communities. The study also highlights the importance of upholding cultural ties and personal resilience in their experiences as migrant domestic workers.

Digital economy, aging of the labor force, and employment transformation of migrant workers: Evidence from China

Migrant workers are the key group of employment work. Promoting the employment transformation of migrant workers under the background of the booming digital economy and the deepening aging degree is related to the overall stability of employment, but also to rural revitalization and common prosperity. This paper uses five waves of data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) from 2012 to 2020 to explore the impact of the aging of the labor force on the employment transformation of migrant workers using multiple Logit regression models, and systematically and deeply explores the role of the digital economy in this process and its mechanism. The main findings of this study are as follows: firstly, the aging of the labor force significantly inhibits the employment transformation of migrant workers, which is mainly reflected in the inhibition of their transformation from traditional industries to new economy industries. Secondly, the digital economy significantly promotes the employment transformation of migrant workers and effectively alleviates the inhibitory effect of the aging of the labor force on the employment transformation of migrant workers. And it mainly plays its role by promoting the industrial structure upgrading, and the social capital and human capital accumulation of migrant workers. Thirdly, the mitigation effect of the digital economy is more effective among high-skilled migrant workers, young and middle-aged migrant workers, rural migrant workers, as well as migrant workers in eastern cities, large-sized cities, and cities with high digital development levels. Based on the above research conclusions, this article proposes relevant policy recommendations for actively responding to the aging of the labor force and fully leveraging the mitigating effects of the digital economy.

Securing human resources for Japan’s aging population: a mixed methods study of job satisfaction and well-being among Southeast Asian long-term care workers in Japan

BackgroundJapan is one of the countries experiencing a “super-aged society.” The government has looked to Southeast Asia for recruiting workers to fill the demand for long-term care (LTC) workers. However, migrant LTC workers have faced many job-related stressors. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with job satisfaction and subjective well-being among Filipino, Indonesian, and Vietnamese LTC workers in Japan and explore the specific factors behind what makes them satisfied in their jobs.MethodsA convergent mixed methods study was conducted. The workers were recruited through snowball and convenience sampling and completed a self-administered questionnaire for the quantitative part. The association of the work environment with the workers’ job satisfaction and subjective well-being were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used to conduct in-depth interviews of the workers, which were analyzed using a deductive and inductive approach for the qualitative part. Quantitative and qualitative results were integrated and interpreted to expand on the findings with new insights.ResultsIn the final analysis, 122 workers were included (20 Filipino, 43 Indonesian, and 59 Vietnamese). In the quantitative part, having the necessary tools/equipment (Unstandardized Coefficient [B] = 16.1, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 6.8, 25.3) and support from work (B = 18.1, 95% CI = 8.6, 27.6) were associated with a higher level of job satisfaction. Having experienced harassment on the job was associated with a lower level of job satisfaction (B = -18.2, p = 0.007, 95% CI = -28.5, -7.8). There is no strong evidence for the association with subjective well-being. In the qualitative part, prominent themes emerged related to cultural sensitivity and an inadequate knowledge of caring for older adults living with dementia. The integrated findings suggested inadequate and unequal Japanese language training across the facilities. Moreover, the importance of human relations in the workplace emerged, with some workers desiring a deeper connection with their Japanese coworkers.ConclusionsA supportive and culturally sensitive work environment may bring about more motivated employees and increase employee retention from migrant LTC workers. Government and facilities should consider policies supporting a culturally sensitive work environment and more equitable Japanese language training across all facilities.

The sacrificed lives of the caring class: crises of social reproduction, unequal Europe, and modern forms of slavery

AbstractThere have been plenty of interpretations regarding the meaning and function of sacrifice within the discipline of anthropology. Going beyond sacrifice as a ritual and exploring a wide range of its manifestations and functions as contemporary cultural practices, discourses, and underlying logics, we reveal its role in the social organization of social care provision within the framework of neoliberal capitalism. Our analysis supports the theory that sacrifice can have the function of social control, and of preserving hierarchies. The forgoing of a minority of migrant domestic workers to provide intensive social care becomes the (no) solution to the ongoing care crisis. It thus becomes the way to hide structural violence and dilute responsibilities for society, which benefits from the servile conditions under which the labour is performed. The ethnographic material (observations, informal conversations, and interviews) that is part of our analysis originated from fieldwork in Castellón de la Plana, Spain (2018/19). This analysis, however, goes beyond that case, being valid for reflecting on the position of care for elderly and dependent people in our societies, care in general, the current global trend in social care provision, and the new social reproduction regime in which sacrificial logics play an increasing role.

Retain in the City, Return Flow, or Blind Direction: A Study on the Differentiation Mechanism of Migrant Workers’ Migration Willingness under the Background of China’s Strategy for Integrated Urban–Rural Development

Against the backdrop of urban–rural integration development in China, the government has further strengthened its support for rural migrant workers’ urban employment and entrepreneurship, as well as their urbanization. Nevertheless, influenced by the current urban–rural development environment and public policies, a portion of rural migrant workers have evolved into two distinct groups: those with clear intentions to settle in cities or return to their hometowns and those trapped in a “neither-nor” situation, who are unable to fully integrate into urban life or seamlessly return to the countryside. This study, based on field investigations conducted in 21 cities across seven major geographical regions in China, reveals a ternary differentiation in migration intentions among rural migrant workers: “Retain in the cities”, “Return flow”, and “Blind direction”. In advancing the urban–rural integration strategy, the “clearly-oriented” groups, choosing to stay or return, can serve as dynamic forces in reconciling resources between urban and rural areas, thereby fostering closer urban–rural ties. Conversely, the “aimless wandering” group, characterized by stagnation, confusion, frequent mobility, and recurrent unemployment, poses numerous negative impacts on urban–rural interaction and coordination, hindering the in-depth integration of urban and rural areas to some extent. Drawing upon the internationally recognized Push-Pull Theory and Social Integration Theory within the field of population migration, this study conducts an empirical analysis of large-scale sample data to explore the characteristic factors and formation mechanisms underlying the “staying”, “returning”, and “blind direction” intentions, with a particular focus on the internal dynamics shaping and evolving the “aimless wandering” group. Finally, grounded in the empirical findings, this study advocates a collaborative approach between the Chinese government and various sectors of society to address the issue by promoting employment guidance, enhancing security measures, and other initiatives that encourage rural migrant workers to either stay in cities or return to their hometowns. It aims to provide policy recommendations for a definitive resolution of the rural migrant worker issue during the crucial period of urban–rural integration development.

Between acceptance and resistance: Conceptualising migrant platform labour agency in Chile

AbstractDigital labour platforms are transforming labour markets worldwide, and migrant workers are pivotal in this transformation. Drawing on a qualitative study in Chile, we uncover how Latin American and Caribbean migrants navigate and resist platform labour conditions, considering the algorithmically controlled and surveilled aspects of food delivery platforms, as well as the impact of migration status on their work. We contend that understanding migrant labour agency requires examining both the platforms' socio‐technical structures and the host country's migration policies. These policies determine workers' migration status, shape their work experiences, and consequently impact their resistance to precarious labour conditions. We introduce the concept of migrant platform labour agency to illustrate the various forms of resistance migrants employ in navigating the platform labour market. This concept contributes to understanding the nuances in migrants' labour agencies, which range from acceptance to resistance, considering the interplay between the migration policy environment and platforms' socio‐technical assemblage.

Local Wisdom-Based Skills Apprenticeship Process for Women Ex-Migrant Workers in Kediren Village, Magetan District, Indonesia

Kediren Village is a village where most women of productive age from the village are former migrant workers who have minimal skills and knowledge when returning to their hometown. The skills apprenticeship process organized by the Head of Kediren Village aims to reduce the population's poverty rate and unemployment for former migrant workers. Skills apprenticeships organized based on local wisdom can positively impact women who are former migrant workers, including providing additional activities that can be carried out to earn additional income. This research examines the importance of skills apprenticeships for female former migrant workers in Kediren Village. This research uses a qualitative approach with a case study method. The location of this research is Kediren Village, Lembeyan District, Magetan Regency, East Java. The informant criteria included the Kediren village head, chief, female former migrant workers, stakeholders, and community leaders as data sources in the research. Data was collected using in-depth interview techniques, observation, and documentation studies. Data analysis was carried out using the Miles and Huberman interactive model. This research shows that the skills apprenticeship process aimed at female ex-migrant workers can positively impact their ability to make traditional batik to support progress in improving the village economy and for individuals, as well as actively participating in activities organized by the chief executive. Research suggestions are aimed at female former migrant workers to develop the learning they have obtained in their daily activities and as an ongoing entrepreneurial field.

Snowboarding while Black: race, aesthetics, and Jamaican migrant workers

ABSTRACT How snowboarding intersects with race in a Canadian mountain resort is explored in this research note. Snowboarding is now globalised but emerged in the USA in the 1960s as an alternative lifestyle sport. Race was embedded in its birth as then, as now, snowboarding is dominated by privileged White participants who are mostly male. The White dominance is masked as whiteness is invisibilized by claims of being neutral or colour-blind. Yet, a Black presence surrounds snowboarding. The second theme examines snowboarding’s commodification of Black aesthetics. It uses Black music and urban fashion to enhance and market its supposedly radical or coolness credentials to its suburban White audience. The mining of Black aesthetics is unacknowledged and thus whitewashes the economic exploitation of Black culture. Migrant workers are the backbone of snow resorts, and the third theme examines this use of transnational labour. It probes why Australians are the visible workers on the snow-kissed slopes and front desks, while Jamaicans are the invisible labour in catering and housekeeping. The use of migrant labour is racialised and further reifies the whiteness of snowboarding. Black snowboarders, riding the snowy slopes for leisure, expose and disrupt the politics of race and place in snowboarding.