Globalization and Migration

Does it affect identity? Filipino domestic workers

in Hong Kong A case study

Overview of presentation• Brief description of identity

• Our argument

• Our case study – What we did

• Our findings – What we discovered

• Conclusion

Our Argument:

Globalization DOES affect individuals identity

Findings from our research both readings and interviews suggest that the elements of the Filipino housemaids identity which have

changed are:

Our Argument:Globalization DOES affect individuals identity

• Their perceptions of themselves and other peoples perceptions of them

• Their expectations of themselves in Home country and abroad

• Their freedoms, opportunities & pressures

• Their status as an overseas worker both here and on their return

Perceptions of themselves and other peoples perceptions

of them

Disadvantages of working in Hong Hong

DiscriminationFar from family All factorsQuals irrellivant

Perceptions of themselves and other peoples perceptions of them

Why do when they have high educational attainment do they work as a maids?

By 1956, the Philippines had the second highest number of students per 100000

population in the world

Discrimination and abuse

Some Pilipino maids are abused by their employers

Also:LanguageSkin colourNationalityJobCulture

Expectations

Home Country Abroad

in

Hong Kong

Why???

Any benefits from abroad?

The emigration is so attractive?

Objective Factor

Make ends meet

Free trade

Globalization of neoliberalism

Subjective FactorDomestic (Philippines)• government• Job opportunity

Abroad (Hong Kong)• Wage• Working condition

Questionnaire resultThe expectation of Filipino in abroad

Better payBetter working conditionBetter job prospectsother

Domestic Factor

export large amount of labor to work abroad

remittance flows become the second-

largest source

Lack of job opportunity

Abroad Factor

Contributing much more to the family and their own life

High wage

However, they have no time to do what they want!

changed the identity

neoliberal

Domestic

Abroad

Summary

How many Filipinos in HK view themselves as heroes?

yes no unsure

Why do the Filipinos in HK view themselves as

heroes?• the government describes overseas workers

as “heroes of the nation.” to further encourage the outflow of contract workers

• all Filipinos are encouraged to take pride in these “heroes.”

Why do the Filipinos in HK view themselves as heroes?

• “forced migrants”(maid trade)

• lack of opportunity in the Philippines

• +

• government promotion of migration• (the government is dependent on remittance)

Why do the Filipinos in HK view themselves as heroes?

Other reasons:

1.Contribute more to family, even under very dangerous conditions.

2.Government depend onsafety imperative for even a modicum of legitimacy.3.Positive effect on wages4.culture

Affects on migrant Filipino cultural identity

Did they feel that any elements of their culture had changed since

being in Hong Kong?

Please note: 10 of the 25 interviewees answered this open answer question and there may be more than one answer of

an interviewee

Interview results

liberated

open minded

improving life standard

improving personality

exposing to the society

working harder

What the answers indicate:Positives:• Democracy/Freedoms:

• Increasing the senses of protecting their rights and abidance by law

• Opportunities:

• Improving life standard

• Broaden their horizon

• Exposing to the new community

What the answers indicate

Negatives:

• Physical and Psychological pressure:

• The inversion of the private-public border

• Staying in the intimate space of another’s household for a long time, usually just rest on Sunday

• Estrangement from family members

Acculturation?

• Few Filipino restaurants in HK, they eat more Chinese food

• They speak and communicate fluently in English, usually just know a few Cantonese phrases

• They identify themselves more on political identity (nationality) as Filipino

ConclusionCultural level

National Character

Individual Level

Social LevelPsychological

level

Majority culture

Identity changes

Gender roles

Family values

employment

Attitudes

stress

Social affiliations

Generational status

References

Constable, N (1997) Maid to order in Hong Kong: stories of Filipina workers

Tomlinson, J (2000) Globalization and cultural identity. In Held & McGrew Eds. The Global Transformations Reader

Unknown, Gender, Class and the transnational politics of solidarity