Historically, women have been positioned to the role of caretaker of children and families. Undeniably, at an increased rate, women are participating in the paid workforce and as such, are working longer hours. Therefore, the care crisis begins when questions are raised around who will care for their families. Women do not have time to care when working long hours in the labour force. Over time, men have been seen as the breadwinners and not the caretakers in family units. Therefore mothers in Western countries, look for workers in developing countries, at a cheaper cost, to care for their families. Subsequently, women in developing countries migrate to developed countries to undertake domestic work. The migration of reproductive labour creates
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Migrant workers are unequally paid across the global care chain and subsequently are undervalued. Richer women in developed countries such as the USA are able to work in the labour force more than ever in today’s society as a result of reproductive labour migration. This subsequently positions poor women in developing countries as unequal in the labour force. Migrant women usually have families to care for, and cannot work in the same way as rich women can in Western countries. The unequal social division is a major global problem that must be discussed and encouraged in Governments. Arguably, governments have the tendency to ‘downplay’ or undervalue the value of migrants into receiving countries. In particular, the Australian Federal Government has fought for the value of Australian citizen workers. Migrant workers in Australia are perceivably seen as taking over the employment industry. Therefore, their value is questioned. The recent introduction of changes to migrant work visas demonstrates the persistence by the Australian Government to stop migrant workers into Australia. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton explains that “457” visa holders in Australia reduce the time workers can remain in the country after their term of employment has ended. Consequently, changes to migrant legislation position the priority onto Australian workers.
Migrant workers are unequally paid across the global care chain and subsequently are undervalued. Richer women in developed countries such as the USA are able to work in the labour force more than ever in today’s society as a result of reproductive labour migration. This subsequently positions poor women in developing countries as unequal in the labour force. Migrant women usually have families to care for, and cannot work in the same way as rich women can in Western countries. The unequal social division is a major global problem that must be discussed and encouraged in Governments. Arguably, governments have the tendency to ‘downplay’ or undervalue the value of migrants into receiving countries. In particular, the Australian Federal Government has fought for the value of Australian citizen workers. Migrant workers in Australia are perceivably seen as taking over the employment industry. Therefore, their value is questioned. The recent introduction of changes to migrant work visas demonstrates the persistence by the Australian Government to stop migrant workers into Australia. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton explains that “457” visa holders in Australia reduce the time workers can remain in the country after their term of employment has ended. Consequently, changes to migrant legislation position the priority onto Australian workers.