Gender and labour migration to the Gulf countries
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minist review 77 2004 c 2004 Feminist Review. 0141-7789/04 $15 www.feminist-review.com (183–185)
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less than this minimum salary. Evidence of family migration is also provided by the higher rates of labour force participation among Asian compared to Arab women. Among the Arabs in Kuwait in 2001, for example, only 12% of the total female migrants were in the labor force while the rest were accompanying a male migrant worker. In the case of Asians, on the other hand, 77% of all women were in Kuwait because they were employed there. The nature of work that the migrant women from Asia are concentrated in provides a major explanation for individual rather than family migration. As illustrated by data from Kuwait, almost 90% of all Asian migrant women are employed in the service sector, primarily as domestic workers. In contrast, only 10% of the employed Arab women are working in this sector. A large majority of the Arab women are employed as teachers, physicians, nurses, or clerical workers. In numerical terms, about 20,000 Arab and 16,000 Asian women were employed in professional and clerical occupations. Domestic work does not provide enough salary nor the necessary permission or visas to bring the family. Furthermore, the domestic workers are almost always live-in helpers where employers provide room and board that is sufficient only for the worker. Domestic workers in the Gulf also include a minority of males who are usually employed as drivers, gardeners, and general helpers. In surveys that have addressed the female domestic worker’s satisfaction with the employment experience, a majority stated that it was good and rewarding. Compared to the home country they are usually paid a relatively high salary (usually about 100–150 US$ per month). However, a minority of women employed as domestic workers do suffer different types of abuse due to unfair labour conditions. They work in an environment of relative isolation and lower level of social support networks resulting in psychological isolation. Cases of sexual harassment and abuse are often reported in the press. However, no objective or reliable data are available on the percentage of women who are actually subjected to sexual abuse or rape. In cases where a disagreement occurs between the employer and the domestic workers, delay or withholding of salary is often a major reason. Other complaints may include excessive workloads and lack of holidays, inadequacy of food or accommodation, or general mistreatment. Female domestic workers from several countries have been seeking shelter in their embassies as a result of maltreatment or abuse. In Kuwait, for example, 400 Sri Lankan, 80 Indian, and 80 Filipino women (primarily domestic workers) had sought refuge at their embassies in 1996.
policies Governments of countries of origin have been especially concerned about the protection of female migrant workers, since this is politically and morally a very
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gender and labour migration
sensitive issue. To avoid the exploitation of women wor
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