globalization and migration
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TRANSCRIPT
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