Ethel Tungohan, "Care Activism: Migrant Domestic Workers, Movement-Building, and Communities of Care" (U Illinois Press, 2023)
Nov 7, 2024
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Ethel Tungohan, Canada Research Chair in Migration Policy, shares insights on care activism among migrant domestic workers. She challenges stereotypes by showcasing the unique ways these workers care for themselves and their communities. The conversation explores the significance of 'dissident friendships' in activism, the emotional side of caregiving, and the historical struggles for rights in Canada. Tungohan emphasizes the need for integrating academia with grassroots activism, fostering hope and solidarity even during systemic challenges.
Care activism among migrant workers emphasizes building community and solidarity, creating support systems that empower them politically and socially.
The intersectionality of race, class, and gender among migrant domestic workers shapes their activism and highlights the importance of solidarity across diverse identities.
Historical advocacy by domestic workers reveals a legacy of organized resistance, drawing lessons from past victories to inspire contemporary movements.
Deep dives
The Role of Care Activism in Empowering Migrant Workers
Care activism emphasizes the importance of community and solidarity among migrant domestic workers, extending beyond mere employment to create lasting support systems. These workers form bonds through shared experiences, transcending individual struggles to build a collective identity that empowers them politically and socially. This form of activism not only advocates for better labor conditions but also highlights the emotional and psychological needs of workers, fostering a sense of belonging. The relationships established within these communities demonstrate how grassroots efforts can challenge systemic injustices inherent in the labor market.
Critical Intersectionality in Domestic Work
The concept of intersectionality is integral to understanding the diverse experiences of migrant domestic workers who navigate multiple identities, including race, class, and gender. This intersectional approach reveals how these identities shape their activism, as different contexts amplify or diminish certain aspects of their simultaneous struggles. By acknowledging the fluidity of their identities, activists can form coalitions to address broader social issues, such as those faced by Indigenous and Black communities. This interconnected framework emphasizes the necessity of solidarity in addressing shared systemic challenges.
The Influence of Historical Activism on Modern Movements
The historical context of domestic worker movements reveals a legacy of organized advocacy that dates back to the early 20th century, challenging the perception of migrant workers as passive victims. Historical records show that domestic workers have consistently mobilized against wage theft and poor working conditions, suggesting a long-standing tradition of resistance. Past victories, such as securing the right to apply for permanent residency, are pivotal examples of how collective action can lead to significant policy changes. By examining this lineage of activism, contemporary movements can draw inspiration and strategic insights from their predecessors.
Transnational Collaboration among Worker Organizations
Transnational networks among migrant worker organizations serve as vital platforms for activism, allowing local groups to engage in global dialogues about labor rights. Activists leverage participation in international forums, such as the ILO, while simultaneously critiquing the limitations of these institutions through grassroots protests. This dual engagement underscores the need for visible representation within formal structures while recognizing grassroots activism's power. By navigating these complex dynamics, domestic workers from various countries can unite under common goals and fight for their rights on multiple fronts.
Imagining a Future of Justice Through Critical Hope
The concept of critical hope emerges as a powerful tool for sustaining activism in the face of systemic oppression, encouraging migrant workers to envision a more equitable future. This hope is rooted not only in immediate struggles but also in a shared belief that a just society is achievable through persistent advocacy. Activists emphasize the importance of maintaining hope to resist despair, using community connections to foster resilience amid challenges. This outlook mirrors the sentiments of those engaged in activism, reminding participants that their collective efforts contribute to shaping a brighter future for themselves and future generations.
Care Activism: Migrant Domestic Workers, Movement-Building, and Communities of Care (U Illinois Press, 2023) challenges the stereotype of downtrodden migrant caregivers by showing that care workers have distinct ways of caring for themselves, for each other, and for the larger transnational community of care workers and their families. Ethel Tungohan illuminates how the goals and desires of migrant care worker activists goes beyond political considerations like policy changes and overturning power structures.
Dr. Tungohan is the Canada Research Chair in Canadian Migration Policy, Impacts and Activism, and Associate Professor of Politics at York University. She has also been appointed as a Broadbent Institute Fellow. Previously, she was the Grant Notley Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Alberta’s Department of Political Science. She received her doctoral degree in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies from the University of Toronto. Her research looks at migrant labor, specifically assessing migrant activism. Dr. Tungohan specializes in socially engaged research and is actively involved in grassroots migrant organizations such as Gabriela-Ontario and Migrante-Canada.
Dr. Tungohan’s hosting a podcast channel, Academic Aunties. You can find her previous conversation with NBN host Dr. Christina Gessler here.
