Repatriation and assistance: The case Filipino migrant domestic workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have a disproportionate impact on migrants. Filipino migrant domestic workers (MDW s) were among the first migrants to lose their job during the COVID-19 pandemic, which often resulted in them requesting repatriation. This has drawn attention to the Philippine government’s approach to assisting impacted overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and facilitating repatriation. Drawing on in-depth interviews with repatriated Filipino MDWs and government agencies, this research aimed to provide insight into the assistance received by Filipino MDWs during their repatriation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This research examines the reasons for repatriation, how capital impacts the assistance requested and provided, and how the assistance addresses the capital and agency of MDWs. This research finds that there are various reasons for repatriation, which often depends on the agency of the MDW and impacts their capital. These reasons for repatriation often also impact the assistance that MDWs require and request. In addition, the capital of the government agencies impacts the assistance they can provide. This research concludes that the assistance provided during each phase – pre-departure, repatriation, and post-arrival – varies in addressing the capital needs of Filipino MDWs. Most MDWs were disappointed in the assistance available in the post-arrival phase, which is deemed the most crucial phase. Therefore, while the Philippines has been commended for their comprehensive labour migration system, their return and repatriation policies, particularly during crises, remain unsustainable and limited, and should be developed further to improve overall migration governance.