How to Get Punched by the ‘Weak’: An Analysis of the Agency of Filipina Domestic Workers in a Global, Unequal, and Gendered Labor System

Abstract

Studying the challenges, suffering, and exploitation of the underprivileged around the world becomes valuable when it allows us to identify and then fix a problem. This paper pushes back against a narrative characterizing Filipina domestic workers as unable to fight against the global, unbalanced, sexualized, racialized, gender regime they work under. There are many examples where they are able to make a difference without needing the same resources as large international organizations or states. The key findings are a list of 10 actions taken by them, summarized as a tried and tested, non-exhaustive list of tools of the underprivileged ‘punching’ back. Using citizenship to leverage governments’ power, using their voices to leverage NGOs, reconciling and finding benefit with pervasive judgment and stereotypes, and even creating entire NGOs, magazines, and social movements, are all examples of how supposedly weak victims punch back.

Keywords:

• agency
• globalization
• gender
• labor market equality
• international relations