From Fragility to Empowerment through Philanthropy: The Filipino Labor Migrant Community in Israel During COVID-19

Abstract

Lockdown in response to the spread of COVID-19 is a challenging period for migrant laborers. This study used a mixed-methods approach to explore how a community of Filipino migrants working as live-in caregivers in Israel coped with the lockdown. Philanthropy for Filipinos in need in Israel and back home was found to be an effective coping mechanism. While lockdown conditions increased the fragility of the marginalized migrant workers, their ability to donate funds empowered them at both individual and communal levels. Developing a donor identity reinforced their sense of belonging to the Filipino community in Israel and back home.

Keywords:

• Philanthropy
• COVID-19
• filipinos
• Israel
• international labor migrants
• migrant workers
• live-in caregivers
• lockdown

Notes

1 While Israel’s immigration policy does not offer ILMS a path to citizenship or permanent residency, Filipinos can obtain citizenship or residency by marrying an Israeli citizen. In addition, unprecedented ad-hoc resolutions in 2005 and 2010 granted permanent residency to migrant worker children and their parents living in Israel (Babis et al., 2018).

2 Caregivers’ work visas may be extended until the death of their employer, after which their visa expires and they are required to leave the country. In some cases they can apply for a special visa.

3 Live-in caregivers rent a room/bed in these collective apartments for their days off.

4 Its members include both FIlipinos residing in Israel and those who left the country long ago but have remained in the group.

5 The funds collected in Israel for transnational philanthropy were sent back home via services used year-round, like Western Union.