A study on the feminization of labor migration in the Philippines to Hong Kong:

Policies, Problems, Programs

In the age of Globalization linkages between neighboring states have become stronger

and opportunities are easier to access. Thus, it has been a significant factor why migration by

Filipinos has become prevalent. The Philippines is one of the largest sending countries of

migrants to many-if not all- affluent countries worldwide Hence, migration has great effects on

the socio-economic condition of the country.

There is a long history of Filipino migration. This Filipino reality is deeply ingrained in

the social, economic, cultural, and religious levels of Filipino living. Philippine migration can be

traced back in the 1500s during the time of the American colonial rule. After the first recorded

migration, different waves of Filipino migration followed. In the 1970s, Filipinos -men in

particular- were in demand in industrialized countries to fill up their labor shortages. Filipino

engineers and architects, heavy equipment operators, military recruits, of mostly men were

becoming a common diaspora. However, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, a different trend of

labor migration has emerged. The male dominated labor force had been parred by the immerging

demand of female workers for export. Female teachers, medical practitioners, factory workers,

and household helps were an equal demand that emerged along with the latter global labor

demands. Here, the Philippines later on entered into an era of the feminization of Overseas

Filipino Workers. During this time, labor migration was feminized in the regions of East and

Southeast Asia. The global economy of affluent countries rose high. Both male and female

laborers became relevant in this period as compared to the male dominated labor demand of the

1960’s down to early 1980s. Labor migrants from developing countries flocked to work in

developed areas like Hong Kong. It was during 1974 when Hong Kong opened legal
immigration channels for domestic workers from other Asian economies. Since then Hong Kong

remains a major receiving country for migrant workers particularly from the South East Asian

region.

A lot of pulling factors to the emergence of female migrant workers. It may be because of

family pressure, globalization, finding purpose, but the most common reason is material

depravity, not poverty. Poverty is an overrated pull factor; a study was made in 2010 by the

Scalabrini Migration Center that poverty is not a major reason why people migrate. If poverty

would be the reason, why are there still a lot of poor people in the Philippines today. Besides,

poor people have no means to leave the country because of the high cost of traveling and paper

requirements. How can a poor person pay all these things? The term used in the study was

material depravity. This is way different than lumping it up to poverty. Female migrant workers

choose to leave their families in the Philippines for the sake of their economic upliftment.

However, despite being in the 21st century where the gap between men and women have

been narrowed down and the emergence of different government and none-government

organizations protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of female migrant workers from

the Philippines, female migrant workers are still vulnerable to economic shocks, exploitation,

and human rights abuses in Hongkong. Feminized migration has increased inequality and

injustice since different policies of the receiving and sending states make it difficult for all

parties involved to enjoy the full benefits of international labor. However, through the

feminization of migration, it opened opportunities for migrant women to increase family income

and uplift their socio-economic situation.

This paper will discuss on the effects of feminized migration of Filipinos to Hongkong since

there are several female migrants in Hong Kong and there are prevalent issues that these migrant
workers are facing. This study will also tackle their struggles in terms of their benefits and social

development as well as the efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs on implementing the

Philippines foreign policy as a pillar of Assistance to Nationals abroad. This study will tackle on

the feminization of the Philippine Labor Migration as well as its (1) binding effects to the labor

force and its implications to the Philippine Society (2) Struggles of female migrant workers, in

terms of their benefits and their living situation in Hong Kong. As well as their problems on

maltreatment, abuse, and other kinds of violence that they have experienced. (3) how the DFA is

protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of these female migrant workers with regard to

the Philippine foreign policy. It aims to give attention and discover solutions on the struggles that

female labor migrants face and its implications to the Philippine society.

Research Questions

1. What are the existing laws and policies that protect the rights and promote the welfare of

(female) labor migrants?

2. What are the programs of the DFA for abused female labor migrants?

3. What are the effects of feminization of labor migration to the Philippines and Hongkong?

Statement of the Problem

Through the years, a large number of female migrants have been sent to different parts of

the world, most especially Hong Kong. Despite the laws protecting labor migrants, there are still

a number of cases concerning our female OFWS. In the news, we always hear female labor

migrants in Hong Kong who are abused and not given enough benefits, this is the problem that

the researcher wants to tackle. Abuse on female labor migrants is rampant and we have to know
what the DFA and other government and non-government organizations are doing to help female

migrant workers with regard to the pillars of the Philippine Foreign Policy.

Anticipated Problems/ Contingencies

The researcher sees data gathering a challenge since the researcher will still look for

female labor migrants from Hong Kong and employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs and

other non-government organizations who cater to the needs of OFWs.