„We are new here, we cannot go and complain”: analysis of the work conditions of Philippina nannies in the Czech Republic
Abstrakt
Paid domestic work is a very expanding labour market sector today. There are at least 52.6 million of domestic workers all over the world according to the International Labour Organization (ILO); 93% of them being women, mostly migrants.
This type of work is not fully recognized in many countries, these women are often in vulnerable position due to their triple invisibility. They may face low working standards , unpaid overtimes, social isolation and even physical and psychical violence.
But little recognition and protection is granted even in countries where paid domestic work is treated within the labour code; as it is in the Czech Republic. Here, the demand for nannies and housekeepers is growing and not only Czechs, but also women from the Ukraine, Russia or the Philippines cover these needs.
In my anthropological study, I specifically focus on the experience of Philippina nannies working as “live-in” in Czech households. My research is based mostly on ongoing qualitative interviews with the Philippina nannies, agency representatives (as most of them came through intermediary agencies) and employers.
I am interested in the ways of care commodification, in labour and living conditions of the nannies as well as in relationships with the employers and the agencies and mutual negotiations. I take into account a broader framework of immigration, integration and employment policies.
In 2012, Czech government refused to deal with the ILO Convention regarding decent work for domestic workers, claiming that it is „an issue of developping countries“. Statistics are underestimated, the domestic work unseen both by the Czech state admnistrators and even by trade unions.
My paper therefore aims not only to gather findings about situation of Philippina nannies in the Czech Republic, but also to identify shortcoming on the policy level that do not consider specific character of the domestic work – being performed mostly by women and in the privacy of households.