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