Representation of Representation of Domestic Workers (DWs)Domestic Workers (DWs)

in Chinain China

Zhirong HAO z.hao@sms.ed.ac.k

16th June 2009

Postgraduate Student Conference

Outline of the PresentationOutline of the Presentation

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Introduction

Proposed Research Methodology

DWs’ Representing Organizations

My Problems

IntroductionIntroduction

Add Your Title

Background

To examine the roleTo examine the roles of organizations that s of organizations that represent DWs in Chirepresent DWs in Chinana.

To understand the reasons/factors that have influence on the effectiveness of these organizations.

TerminologyTerminology Domestic Worker (DWs) Domestic Worker (DWs) in my research refer to persin my research refer to person employed in private hoon employed in private homes in urban areas -- taking mes in urban areas -- taking care of children, cleaning acare of children, cleaning and doing other household lnd doing other household labor.abor.

Background/ProblemBackground/Problem Domestic work has becoDomestic work has become very popular in China rme very popular in China recent years. ecent years. However,……However,……

ObjectivesMotivations

To Fill Literature Gap No scholarly research about DWs’ representation in China. I am doing my PhD study in expectation of contributing some knowledge to this field.

Deeply impressed by violation of DWs’ rights through news reports and my own experience once talking with some DWs in Ji’nan City, China, I hope I can help find out real reasons of their plight.

Status Rights Gap

Domestic Workers--MarginalizedDomestic Workers--Marginalized

1) As Women Workers

2) As Informal Workers

3) As Migrant and Laid-off Workers

•Excluded from Labor and Employment Law

•Excluded from Social Protection (eg. Social Security System)

•Violation of Rights as Humans (eg. lack of dignity and respects)

•Invisibility

•Fragmentation

•Low wage

•Work overtime without extra pay

•Bad working conditions

……

Work Characteristics

DWs= more vulnerable groups

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As individuals, DWs can not overcome the limitations As individuals, DWs can not overcome the limitations and constraints when trying to protect their rights …and constraints when trying to protect their rights ………

There are organizations for DWs, whether they had exiThere are organizations for DWs, whether they had existed before or have newly emerged…..sted before or have newly emerged…..

What are their roles?What are their roles?

My research begins….My research begins….

Research QuestionsResearch Questions Major RQ

What are the roles of the organizations in representing domestic

workers in China? Can these organizations represent DWs

effectively? Why? Subsidiary RQs

1.What are the organizations that represent DWs in China?

2.Can these organizations represent DWs effectively in China? If not, Why? What are

the factors that prevent them from representing DWs more effectivly?

3.How do the organizations perform their roles? What strategies and activities do they

carry out?

4.What are the structures of these organizations?

5.How do staff think of their organizations’ roles in representing domestic workers?

DWs’ Representing OrganizationsDWs’ Representing Organizations

Note: Note: FTUs Federation of Trade Unions FTUs Federation of Trade Unions WF Women’s FederationWF Women’s FederationLAGs Legal Advocacy Groups LAGs Legal Advocacy Groups NGOs Non-governmental OrganizationsNGOs Non-governmental Organizations

WFFTUs

LAG NGOs

DWs

My HypothesisMy HypothesisThese organizations can not represent DWs effectively.These organizations can not represent DWs effectively.

Why do I think so?Why do I think so?

What are my reasons?What are my reasons?

How can I collect evidence?How can I collect evidence?

By reviewing literature + my own reasoning + future field By reviewing literature + my own reasoning + future field work?!work?!

State organ？ Dual identity : Representative of national interests and workers’ interests at the same time? (Ambivalent roles)

Not decline but increase: membership increase, union branches increase etc.

Leaders appointed from above but not through democratic election

…….

Very different from trade unions in other countries.

What are their real roles for DWs in China? Why?

Low efficiency with strong power??

Federation of Trade Unions

Under the leadership of Communist Party of China (CPC)

As a bridge connecting party/government and women citizens

Fund from government (eg. Local public finance )

Quasi-governmental Organization?

Passive role for protecting women?

Organizational structure? Leadership? Activities?

What’s its real roles in protecting DWs? Why ?Further investigation…

Source: ( All China Women’s Federation Statues, 2008)

Women’s Federation

Include Academic Actors (eg. The Centre for Women’s Law & Legal Services of Peking University,1995)

Legal Consulting Office

As independent actors?

Research or reputation is their goal? Not really for DWs’ interests?

……

What are their real roles for DWs? Why?

Legal Advocacy Groups

Include Grassroots Organizations Charitable Organizations etcLack of legitimacy?Lack of fund?Leaders? Structure?They do not have strong influence and mobilizing power among DWs.

What are their real roles? Why? further investigation…

NGOs

Proposed Research Proposed Research MethodologyMethodology

Research DesignResearch Design Inductive StrategyInductive Strategy

Case Study ApproachCase Study Approach

MethodologyMethodology Qualitative study employing:Qualitative study employing:

--Semi-structured interviews (eg. organization leaders and staff)--Semi-structured interviews (eg. organization leaders and staff) --Non-participant observation (eg. Organization activities for DWs--Non-participant observation (eg. Organization activities for DWs ）） Analysis of documents Analysis of documents Multiple sources to collect dataMultiple sources to collect data

Sample Cases Selection Sample Cases Selection

Investigate TUs, WF, LAGs and NGOs in one city, Xi’an( Shaanxi, China).Investigate TUs, WF, LAGs and NGOs in one city, Xi’an( Shaanxi, China).

A typical city for my research, where it seems that all these organizationA typical city for my research, where it seems that all these organizations are active. And LAGs and NGOs for DWs have been established for a los are active. And LAGs and NGOs for DWs have been established for a longer time compared with most other cities in China.nger time compared with most other cities in China.

By investigating these organizations in one city, I can also get more infoBy investigating these organizations in one city, I can also get more information about the relationship between these different actors which could brmation about the relationship between these different actors which could be one factor that influences the effectiveness. (Interacting actors?)e one factor that influences the effectiveness. (Interacting actors?)

For practical consideration, I did internship in Shaanxi Women’s FederaFor practical consideration, I did internship in Shaanxi Women’s Federation (SXWFtion (SXWF ）） in Xi‘an for two months in 2005.in Xi‘an for two months in 2005.

In addition, I lived in Xi’an for four years and am familiar with surrounIn addition, I lived in Xi’an for four years and am familiar with surroundings. I have acquaintances there who may provide help to negotiate access dings. I have acquaintances there who may provide help to negotiate access to these organizations.to these organizations.

Ethical IssuesEthical Issues

Informed Consent: Voluntary Participation?Informed Consent: Voluntary Participation?

Avoid Deception: the risk of exposing them?Avoid Deception: the risk of exposing them?

Privacy and ConfidentialityPrivacy and Confidentiality

My problemsMy problems TheoreticallyTheoretically Conceptual framework?Conceptual framework?

Organizational theoryOrganizational theory Institutional theoryInstitutional theory Representation theoryRepresentation theory Mobilizing TheoryMobilizing Theory …… …… MethodologicallyMethodologically units of analysis??units of analysis??

WELCOMEWELCOME

Questions and Suggestions!Questions and Suggestions!

Thank you!Thank you!