What factors shape the labour supply decisions of Filipina domestic labour in Hong Kong?



In the real world, rules and resources shape the labour market decision of the marginalized immigrants (Kabeer 310). As Naila Kabeer argued, there are many constraints that limit the female labour supply decisions. When Kabeer interviewed Bangladeshi women in the London clothing industry, most women claimed that they “chose” not to work in the labour market due to their lack of education, domestic responsibilities, and “cultural constraints of purdah” (290). However, Kabeer proved that not only individual circumstances bound females to decide on labour commitment, but also their families, community, sexism and racism.  Moreover, she argues “a process of negotiation and compromise” impacts the labour supply choice with the husband and family (296). Such arguments imply a greater extent in shaping the female labour market choice other than surface constraints. These implications also lead to reflections on the labour supply decisions shaped by racism and sexism to minority immigrant groups within a larger area.
One may wonder if the application of the labour supply model is applicable to other countries or professions. Kabeer argues that marginalized groups are not able to work for their “preferred” occupation due to sexism and stereotyping. Comparatively, Filipino women migrate abroad to Hong Kong and work as domestic labour, their “preferred” occupation. Nicole Constable has argued that most Filipino women “stress their economic motivation for working in Hong Kong” (204). This indicates their surface constraint would be financial support. As Chang and Groves observed, “between 1975 and 1991, the number of Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong jumped from a mere 1,000 to nearly 66,000” (74). Many Filipino women have migrated to various places around the world as domestic labours to give financial support to their families in the Philippines, especially in Hong Kong.... [continues]

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(2011, 11). What Factors Shape the Labour Supply Decisions of Filipina Domestic Labour in Hong Kong?. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 11, 2011, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/What-Factors-Shape-The-Labour-Supply-828389.html

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"What Factors Shape the Labour Supply Decisions of Filipina Domestic Labour in Hong Kong?" StudyMode.com. 11 2011. 11 2011 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/What-Factors-Shape-The-Labour-Supply-828389.html>.

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"What Factors Shape the Labour Supply Decisions of Filipina Domestic Labour in Hong Kong?." StudyMode.com. 11, 2011. Accessed 11, 2011. http://www.studymode.com/essays/What-Factors-Shape-The-Labour-Supply-828389.html.