Balancing the Democracy Dilemmas: Experiences of Three Women Workers' Cooperatives in Hong Kong

The concentration of women in certain occupations has been the main feature characterizing the feminization of migration in the Asian region during the last two decades. A gender-sensitive approach is essential in understanding the particular vulnerability facing these migrant women workers. This paper is concerned with the situation of migrant women domestic workers in East and Southeast Asia. It discusses the context of housework that has rendered migrant women domestic workers vulnerable to abuses and violence. It compares and contrasts the legal systems in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan and addresses the inadequacy of the respective legal systems in dealing with the vulnerability of these women workers. Using Hong Kong as a case, it discusses the measures that have been adopted to provide better protection for migrant labor. This paper suggests that, in order to provide effective protection for the rights of these women, it is important for respective governments to take into account the particular vulnerability facing them as a result of the context of their employment.

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After the Hong Kong Miracle: Women Workers under Industrial Restructuring

Asian Survey ◽

10.2307/2645448 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 37 (8) ◽

pp. 752-770 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stephen W. K. Chiu ◽

Ching Kwan Lee

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Women Workers ◽

Industrial Restructuring

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Asian Working Women and Agency: Their Voices

The Economic and Labour Relations Review ◽

10.1177/103530460301400105 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 49-63

Author(s):

Donella Caspersz

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Hong Kong ◽

New Zealand ◽

Women Workers ◽

Trade Union ◽

Trade Unions ◽

Working Women ◽

The Philippines ◽

Asia Pacific ◽

Collaborative Activity

The aim of this paper is to discuss the challenges of organising women workers in Asia, and to discuss how trade unions can facilitate their more effective participation in these movements. The paper is primarily informed by research undertaken with Southern Initiative on Globalization and Trade Union Rights (SIGTUR). Formed in Perth, Western Australia in 1991 and made up of delegates from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, the Philippines, Hong Kong, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil, the aim of SIGTUR is to promote collaborative activity by independent trade unions in the ‘South’ or rather countries within the Asia-Pacific. The paper highlights the effects of neo-liberalism on workers and develop appropriate international responses.

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