scholarly journals Negotiating Religiosity in a Secular Society: A Study of Indonesian Muslim Female Migrant Workers in Hong Kong

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 147-169
Author(s):  
Imam Subchi ◽  
◽  
Asep Saepudin Jahar ◽  
Maila D. H. Rahiem ◽  
Asrorun Ni’am Sholeh ◽  
...  

This study examined how Indonesian Muslim female migrant workers in Hong Kong, the majority of whom work in the domestic sector, negotiate their religiosity in a secular society. As a method of investigation, qualitative exploratory research was used. Observation and in-depth semi-structured interviews were used to collect data with eight Indonesian Muslim female workers in Hong Kong. The findings show that: 1) despite workplace restrictions, these workers adhered to their religious rites; 2) they utilized the most viable solutions to enable them to conduct their job obligations that were incompatible with their religion; 3) they established halaqas [religious study groups] in several mosques throughout Hong Kong and met regularly; and 4) the migrant workers gained strength from their faith, while the religious study groups greatly assisted them in overcoming and resolving life’s challenges. The researchers concluded that while it is critical for many workers to live according to their religion, many employers are unaware of their employees’ religion and religious values. There should be better dialogue and agreement on how workers and employers can negotiate their rights and obligations. In response to the study’s findings, several recommendations are made.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-215
Author(s):  
Widodo Widodo

International migration occurs because population growth does not match the job opportunities and availability. This issue has increased labor migration abroad. International migration as a workforce is dominated by female migrant workers or Tenaga Kerja Wanita (TKW). Women in their development want to actualize themselves by having transitional roles as workers who actively earn money for their families. During this time, news and research are still around the protection and problems TKI / TKW has experienced. Only a few studies have focused on the TKI / TKW’s success during their work. This research is qualitative using the textual study method by analyzing secondary data from various related literature and former TKW interviews. Empirical data showed that the factors leading to Hong Kong’s success were caused by the Hong Kong and Indonesian governments’ policies. They protected the workers’ rights and support to self-actualize, and female workers began to join the organization. Thus, women had more insight, freedom, and confidence to work in Hong Kong.


Author(s):  
Tyas Retno Wulan ◽  
Lala M. Kolopaking ◽  
Ekawati Sri Wahyuni ◽  
Irwan Abdullah

Social remittances (ideas, system practice, and social capital flow from the receiving country to the home country) of Indonesian female migrant workers (BMP) in Hong Kong appeared better and more complete than other BMP in other countries like Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, or Singapore.  Based on that research, we are encouraged to do extensive research in order to identify factors  that push  BMP’s social remittances development  in Hong Kong, to identify kinds of social remmitances they receive  and to understand on how far their social remittances become a medium to empower them and their society.  This study is done in qualitative method that uses an in-depth interview technique and FGD.  Subjects of study are BMP, the government (Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration and BNP2TKI), NGOs, migrant workers’ organization and researchers of BMP. The study done in Cianjur (West Java), Wonosobo and Banyumas (Central Java) and Hong Kong indicates that during their migration process, female migrant workers not only have economical remittance that can be used for productive activities, but also social remittances.  The social remittances are in the form practical knowledge such as language skill and nursery; knowledge on health, financial management; ethical work; the mindset changing and networking. The study  indicate that female migrant workers are extraordinary women more than just an ex-helper.  Their migration has put them into a position as an agent of development in society.Key words: Indonesians  female migrant workers, social remmitances, empowerment


Author(s):  
Rudy Harisyah Alam

This writing is a result of research on Religious Education of Indonesia Moslem Community in Hong Kong,to find out which institutions and whatcharacteristics become providers of the religious education for Indonesian Moslem community in Hong Kong. This research uses explorativequalitative approach by data collection technique through a combination between individual and group interview technique, field observation, as well as document and literature study. The result of this study shows: firstly, almost a half of the Moslem community in Hong Kong is Indonesian Moslem community, they are generally come from migrant workers in non-formal sectors (such as maid) which in social, political and economicalaspect they have a weak bargaining position in their life in Hong Kong. Secondly, the Indonesian Moslem Community in Hong Kong generallyconsists of female workers and they are not allowed taking their children or family with them, their immediate needs are guidance and educational service on religion for their own needs in the form of a non-formal religion educational service. The need on education and religion are obtainedby establishing religious groups, associations or organizations which in general are not registered as an official organization in the Government of Hong Kong. Thirdly, they regularly strive to meet their needs on religious guidance and education by holding a routine group religious guidance heldSundays, as the day is holiday which in general is granted to the majority of Indonesian workers.tulisan ini merupakan hasil penelitian tentang Pendidikan Keagamaan pada Komunitas Muslim Indonsesia di Hong Kong, yang bertujuan untuk mengetahui institusi-institusi dan karakteristik apa yang menjadi penyedialayanan pendidikan keagamaan komunitas muslim Indonesia di Hongkong. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif-eksploratif dengan teknik pengumpulan data melalui mengombinasikan teknik wawancara individualdan kelompok, observasi lapangan, serta studi dokumen dan literatur. Hasil setudi ini ditemukan antara lain: pertama, hampir separuh dari komunitas muslim di Hong Kong adalah kaum muslim Indonesia, umumnya mereka berasal dari kalangan pekerja migran pada sektor non formal (pembantu rumah tangga) yang secara sosial, politik dan ekonomi tidak memiliki daya tawar yang kuat dalam kehidupan di negara Hong Kong. Kedua, Komunitas muslim Indonesia di Hong Kong umumnya adalah pekerja wanita dan tidak diperkenankan membawa anak atau keluarga, kebutuhan mendesak yang mereka hadapi adalah layanan bimbingan dan pendidikan agama bagi diri  mereka sendiri, berupa layanan pendidikan keagamaan non-formal. Kebutuhanpendidikan dan keagamaan diperoleh dengan cara membentuk kelompok, perkumpulan atau organisasi keagamaan yang umumnya tidak terdaftar  sebagai organisasi resmi pada pemerintah Hong Kong. Ketiga, secara regulermereka berupaya memenuhi kebutuhan akan bimbingan dan pendidikan keagamaan melalui pengajian rutin yang diadakan setiap hari minggu, sesuai waktu libur yang umumnya tersedia bagi mayoritas pekerja Indoensia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-317
Author(s):  
Sandrotua Bali ◽  
Ming Chou Liu ◽  
Huei Hsuan Lin

Remittance, labor migration and the significance of the female role in the process of labor migration have recently become entrenched in many developing countries, such as Indonesia. The influential role these female migrant workers play in supporting their own families and in their self-fulfillment is of significance and worthy of being fully expounded and discussed. As breadwinners, these female migrant workers strive to pursue higher education by working their way through college. Qualitative in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to obtain five Indonesian female migrant workers' opinion and experiences about their experience of being a worker and a student in Taiwan. The data in this study were analyzed and evaluated with thematic analysis. This study describes the factors which cause the Indonesian female workers to become migrant workers in Taiwan. This includes getting high-paid jobs, shouldering the responsibility for supporting their own families, and pursuing self-fulfillment overseas. Besides, this study has investigated the difficulties and challenges that female Indonesian migrant workers had encountered while working and studying at the same time. On the whole, as caregivers, most of them often fail to have a flexible schedule to study due to the temporary jobs assigned by their employers. Also, some employers are unwilling to allow them to pursue higher education for feat that they would not concentrate on their own work. Above all, it is these female migrant workers that can define what their lives truly mean as migrant workers on their own, and that can align their talents and ambitions with their pursuits of higher education. This study provides a new exploration of how the female migrant workers’ gained a sense of self-fulfillment by pursuing higher education with working and studying at the same time. Facing a variety of challenges and hindrances, their persistence and perseverance can be further examined for those who are interested in studying this field deeper.   Keywords: Female migrant workers, higher education, Indonesian migrant workers, labor migration, remittance   Cite as: Bali, S., Liu, M. C., & Lin, H. H. (2019). Pursuing higher education careers and the process of migration among Indonesian female migrant workers in Taiwan.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 4(2), 302-317. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol4iss2pp302-317


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 41-52
Author(s):  
Doan Van Thang

The issue of the employment and income of workers is always a topic that attracts the concerns of sociologists. This study aims to explore the life of female informal workers. The study was conducted at the construction site of Himlam projects, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City with the participant of 175 female workers and 77 male workers. The questionnaire and interview were employed to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The findings of the study revealed that the current life of female migrant workers at the construction site of the Himlam project, Tan Hung Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh city was facing many difficulties. Their income was low. Also, they were not allowed to sign long-term or definite-term contracts. Therefore, many issues need to be addressed to improve the quality of life and employment of female migrant workers in industrial parks, especially at the Himlam construction site. The government should pay more attention to gender equality and enact policies to improve the living standards of female informal workers. The author expects that the study will partly contribute to the policy-making process in Vietnam.


AL-HUKAMA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-270
Author(s):  
Wahidah Zein Br Siregar

This study aims to describe struggle of Nurdiana and Tira, two Indonesian female migrant workers who work in domestic sector in Hong Kong. They are part of thousands of Indonesian migrant workers in this country. Data from BNP2TKI shows that in 2019 only, there were 70,840 migrant workers placed in Hong Kong. Most of them are women. These women work in informal sectors, particularly domestic works. Using life story method, this research is able to find out that the main reason for both Nurdiana and Tira to work in Hong Kong is to fulfill their family needs and support education of their children. Their children are studying in Pesantren. Life story gives chances to both informants to talk more about their work, their relation with employers, family, friends, and challenges they face, including that of COVID-19. Their stories provide an understanding of the real situation faced by these two family heroes.  


Author(s):  
Suet-lin Hung ◽  
Kwok-kin Fung

This chapter discusses how socio-political forces in Hong Kong shaped the situation of new immigrants from mainland China. It provides an overview of responses from the community development field regarding ethnic and cultural diversity to set the context of social services offered to new immigrants to Hong Kong from mainland China. A small-scale qualitative study of community workers who work with these migrants was conducted in Tin Shui Wai North, a Hong Kong community with the second-highest proportion of migrants from the mainland. It is argued that ethnic diversities within the same race (Chinese) are characterised by a complex range of factors, including gender and class, and are emphasised by migration from a ‘developing’ (China) to a ‘developed’ (Hong Kong) location. It emphasises the need for community development workers to be self-reflexive when developing ethnic and culturally sensitive community practices that deal with the dimension of ‘difference’ of new immigrants.


RELC Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 003368822098178
Author(s):  
Anisa Cheung

This article reports a case study of an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in Hong Kong who conducted lessons via Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study focused on the factors influencing her technology integration in synchronous online teaching mode. Using data from classroom recordings, stimulated-recall and semi-structured interviews, this study uncovered how Zoom functioned as a substitute for face-to-face lessons. The findings revealed that although there were fewer interactions between the teacher and her students, teaching in synchronous online mode provided the teacher with opportunities to utilize certain online features to augment methods of checking student understanding. The study identified the teacher’s pedagogical beliefs, the context and professional development as factors that influenced the level of technology integration in her Zoom classes. The study concludes that embracing process-oriented pedagogies may be necessary for a higher level of technology integration among ESL teachers who have adequate professional development opportunities and school support.


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