Cheap and disposable? The impact of the global economic crisis on the migration of Ethiopian women domestic workers to the Gulf

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of the global economic crisis on the migration of Ethiopian women domestic workers to the Gulf. It argues that migration as a strategy to cope with existing crises in Ethiopia will be severely constrained by post-downturn policy shifts, which have already produced a significant decline in numbers of recorded migrants and remittances. Evidence suggests the consequence will be an increase in the flows of unrecorded migrants. The conclusion discusses policy responses to mitigate some of the negative consequences of the global economic crisis on the migration of Ethiopian domestic workers.

Keywords:

• Ethiopian domestic workers
• Gulf countries
• migration
• remittances
• global economic crisis

Notes

1. The bond is a financial guarantee that the PEA is expected to provide to the government, as an insurance against any costs of repatriation of workers that the government might have to bear. In the old legislation, it was possible to furnish this bond or guarantee from the financial institutions or insurance companies by mortgaging property (house or vehicle). According to the new draft, PEAs have to deposit the cash in the bank

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bina Fernandez

Bina Fernandez is a Lecturer in Development Studies at the University of Leeds