RHAPSODYReproductive Health and
Human Rights Advocacy, Protection and Services for Overseas Domestic Workers
The Overseas Filipino Workers
• Local Context: diminishing job opportunities in the country
• Global Context: large scale migration since 1970s
• 1997-2006: phenomenal rise in the number of OFWs (2.9 M in 1997 to 3.8M in 2006)
The Ten Categories of OFWs(from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or POEA)
1. Domestic Helpers and related Household Workers2. Production and Related Workers3. Caregivers and Caretakers4. Service Workers5. Waiters, Bartenders and Related Workers6. Plumbers and Pipe Filters7. Nurses Professional8. Laborers/Helpers General9. Wiremen Electrical10. Charworkers, Cleaners and Related Workers
Domestic WorkersThey comprise the biggest group
(32.6% in 2007)Hong Kong has consistently been
the top destination2000 to 2007: Hong Kong was
the destination of 21% to 46% of deployed domestic workers
In Hong Kong, domestic workers comprise 99.7% of OFWs
Top Sources of Domestic Workers Luzon
◦Benguet◦Pangasinan◦Pampanga
Visayas◦Bohol, Cebu, Negros Occidental
Mindanao◦Davao Del Sur, Misamis Oriental,
Zamboanga del Sur
Feminization of MigrationWomen form half of the migrant
workers worldwide (CARAM Asia, 2005)
In the Philippines, women migrant workers comprise 67% of the total OFWs in 2007
Demand for domestic workers in developed countries
Domestic workers: child care, elderly care, household keeping
Economic and Social Benefit of Labor Migration
Government: huge amount of remittances (USD 87.64B from 1995 to 2006)
OFWs and families: bigger income, better standard of living, good education for children
Women: greater decision-making power, strong bargaining position, sense of autonomy, feeling of freedom from cultural norms
Social Cost of Labor MigrationON THE MIGRANTS
Poor living conditionsPoor working conditionsPressure from adjustmentLoneliness and sexual needsAbsence of social support
Social Cost of Labor MigrationON THE MIGRANTS
Psychosomatic problems: headaches, sleeping problem, anxiety
Mental health problems: adjustment disorder
Occupational health problems: work-induced illnesses such as lower back pain, falls, burns
Abuse: verbal, physical, sexual, psychological
Sexual and Reproductive Health Problems of Migrant WorkersMenstrual disordersGenito-urinary tract infectionFertility/infertility-related
problems, including unwanted pregnancy
Fibroid, low back pain, abdominal pain
Loneliness and isolation, short sexual relationship that expose them to STIs, HIV and AIDS
Problems regarding health care accessUndocumented migrants Lack of medical insurance from
host countryEmployee restriction Too expensiveLanguage barrierUncomfortable with male doctorsPrescription neededAbortion
Social Cost of Labor Migration ON THE FAMILIES LEFT BEHINDPositive Consequence
◦Big income: bigger and beautiful houses, good schools for children, modern household appliances, high tech gadgets
Negative consequence◦Separation: loneliness, isolation,
financial difficulties
Situation of Children Left BehindHearts Apart (Scalabrini Center, 2004)Children are aware of labor
migration and its economic/material benefits
Children prefer their father to migrate
Left-behind parents and extended family assume but do not replace mother in children’s life
Exposure to non-traditional gender roles
Emotional displacement esp. during adolescence
Migration of parents is difficult:(Other Studies)Children long for parental careYoung girls assume the burden of
providing care for the familyChildren get confused over the
reversal of gender rolesThey develop a consumerist
attitudeThey are vulnerable to abuses
Addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Problems in Labor Migration through
RHAPSODY
For the Migrant Workers in Hong Kong
providing sexual and reproductive health and rights information and education
For the Migrant Workers in Hong Kong
Access to services through partnership with the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong
For the Migrant Workers in Hong Kong
Provision of other services such as counseling by other partners in Hong Kong
For the Families in the Philippines
Education and information campaign
For the Families in the Philippines
Formation of peer group “counseling” or peer facilitators’ group
For the Families in the Philippines
Organizing of husbands
For the Families in the Philippines
Provision of direct services on sexual and reproductive health and rights
For the Families in the Philippines
Other services that may be provided by partner organizations
- Group counseling- Legal services
Partnership, an essential elementNational and regional
government agencies: OWWA, DSWD
Municipal/City and Barangay Local Government Units
National and International Non-government organizations
Schools
Sample IEC material
2010 Calendar-Comics titled Ang Paglalakbay
- With information on sexual and reproductive health and rights