This study was conducted by: Paul Onrubia, Danica Estanislao, Gian Maniego,
Hazel Delas Alas and LA Revilla
I.
INTRODUCTION
Domestic
working has been considered as an essential form of living, and as well as a
source of financial stability, for families usually coming from the provinces
and falling under low socioeconomic position, particularly in the Philippine
society (Sayres, 2005). The domestic worker renders personal service in the
employer’s home which is usually necessary for household maintenance and
familial convenience (ILO, 2006). The purpose, therefore, of this study is on
the experiences of these domestic workers with regards to their labor employment.
However, domestic working is not just about physical work; it is also a role
which constructs and situates the worker within certain set of social
relationships (MacDonald,
2006). For this reason the study also aims to determine
how the domestic worker would adjust to such experiences and opportunities that
present itself in their line of work, not only in relation to living under a
relatively new kind of living condition, but as well as to the authority of
their employers, of which they must abide to, and to leaving their own families
in the province.
II.
METHODS
The study
involved eleven domestic helpers; five were interviewed individually while the
rest were part of a focus group discussion. The researchers used convenient
sampling as a method of garnering participants; the study requires domestic
workers who are currently employed and above the legal working age. Although
various domestic workers around the Metro Manila would meet the study’s
specification, the researchers garnered the participants through inquiring them
for their time, with the consent their employers, only within the boundary of
the researchers corresponding neighborhoods. For the data gathering component,
the method used for the study was mainly conducting an interview. Data analysis
includes audio transcriptions which were then encoded and extracted to obtain
the key themes of the study. To ensure validity, participants were to comment
on the garnered data and approve of the accuracy to their experiences. The
participants were also made “co-researchers” so that they could constantly
analyze and assess the data.
III.
RESULTS
Table1.
The experiences of Domestic Helpers in an urban setting
- The following table illustrates the experiences
of domestic helpers in an urban setting; experiences that particularly pertain and
are limited to their line of work.
Themes
|
Working
Definition/Description
|
Data Extract (Quotes
from participants)
|
Personal Leisure
|
During breaks, domestic helpers find
other activities, like shopping, to have some time with themselves and with
other important people in their lives.
|
Q:
Ano po ba yung pinakamalaking pagbabago na naransan mo mula ng galling sa probinsya
ditto sa Maynila?
“Yung nabibili mo yung gusto mo, sa probinsya
kasi maliit yung kita kaya yung gusto mo di mo mabili. Dito kasi nabibili mo na
kasi malaki na yung kinikita mo”
Q:
Maliban naman po dun, nakakahanap naman po kayo ng oras para sa sarili niyo?
“Pag nag-off –nagpapahinga lang… sa ate
ko lang. O kaya gumagala lang din dito sa buong subdivision, kasama naming
yung bata.”
|
Sustaining the basic needs of their family in the province
|
The resources the domestic helpers
acquire are sent to their family – sending basic necessities (“mga padala”)
and remitting their earnings.
|
Q:
Sa mga pagkakataon na bumibili kayo, nagpapadala rin po ba kayo sa pamilya niyo?
“Oo, padala nalang. Sa tatay ko lang
–may kanya kanya naman na kaming pamilya.”
Q:
Bakit po dumating sa point na nag iba-iba kayo ng trabaho?
“Syempre nag hahanap ng magandang kita.
Yung mataas na kita para sa pamilya.”
|
Unexpected leaves (amidst work) to administer the needs of
their children
|
The duty of the parent domestic helper
is going back to the province to their family to monitor the behaviors of their
children during problematic times and budgeting for their children.
|
Q:
Nung minsan kang umuwi, gaano ka katagal simula ng pumasok dito?
“Kasi po nagka problema yung anak ko
noon. Nagkaproblema kasi sabi ng mama ko kelangan asikasuhin mga bata hindi yata
kasi nakikinig sa kanila. Edi ang ginawa ko sabi ko uuwi ako titignan ko kung
ano magagawa. Ayun pagkauwi ko kinausap
ko mga bata tinanong ko kung nag-aaral sila kasi puro daw lakwatsa, mahirap kako
walang mapapala. Sabi ko kaya ko kayo pinag-aaral, nagtrabaho ako para sa inyo.
Kaya nag stay muna ako doon ng mga mag iisang buwan kasi tinesting kosila.
Okay naman, nag-aaral naman sila. Kaya sabi ko babalik ulit ako sa trabaho.
Itext niyo nalang ako kung ano pa maging problema.
|
Engaging in other forms of work for the benefit of their
family
|
The domestic helper (also) works for
the betterment of their own family in the province, some domestic helpers do
not consider day-offs and engage in other work opportunities for the extra
profits.
|
Q:
Bakit po dumating sa point na nag iba-iba kayo ng trabaho?
“Syempre naghahanap ng magandang kita.
Yung mataas na kita para sa pamilya. Pero parang pare-parehas din, pag sa pabrika
ganun din magastos din. Pagsa canteen ganun din. Pag nasa loob ka ngbahay pag
katulong medyo tipid kasi hindi ka naman lumalabas eh.”
|
Table Content: A
change in the domestic helpers living condition or environment would also
provide them new experiences and opportunities. The experiences they go through
are still grounded upon the fundamental reason of why they entered domestic
working – it serves as a means of resources and income for themselves and their
family. This is why the experiences (other than that of their domestic work) of
engaging in different employment and leisure activities are still related to
the primary work they do.
Table2.
How Domestic Helpers adjust to their Employer
- The following table illustrates the
measures taken by domestic helpers to comply with the terms of their employer
with regards to their overall relationship.
Themes
|
Working Definition/Description
|
Data Extract (Quotes from
participants)
|
Approaching
their employer when in need of their assistance regarding a particular
situation they are in
|
The domestic helpers display a respecting and unassertive
attitude towards their employer when conversing with them.
|
Q: Kapag po may
problema kayo… sino po tinatakbuhan ninyo?
“Yung boss ko, oras na kapag sa financial, siya yung lapitan ko..
kasi wala naman talaga akong ibang matatakbuhan eh kundi yung boss ko.”
|
Committing
themselves to their assigned responsibilities or obligations
|
They give all of their time and effort in their tasks through
displaying obedience to it. Sometimes they do not take the opportunity of
having day-offs; all their works and tasks are efficiently and immediately
done.
|
Q: Meron po ba yung
sa tungkulin niyo po, yung lagpas na yung pinagawa nila sayo?
“Hindi ko na iniisip yun. Kasi parang isang tao na rin sila sa
akin, kaya kahit ano ano dyan (naipagawa) natural nalang na gagawin yun.
Walang pa isip-isip.”
|
Accepts
personal mistakes made in their line of duty
|
The domestic helpers admit their faults by not attempting to
directly confront them in a defensive manner.
|
Q: Minsan po ba
dumating na sa point na may pinagawa sila sayo na lagpas sa tungkulin ninyo?
“Oo… Yung isang beses inutos sa akin yung paliguan yung bata
tapos nauna ko yung pumuntang market. Tapos may binili ako. Pero di naman
nagalit, nag text lang sa akin. Okay lang naman sa akin, wala naman iyon.”
|
Solving
conflicts during times of negligence
|
Although domestic helpers, most of the time, do not directly
confront nor do they defend themselves when committing a mistake, they are
sensitive enough to approach and apologize their employer when a mistake is
done.
|
Q: Pag may
responsibilidad po kayo na hindi niyo nagagawa, ano po nasasabi nila sayo?
May nasasabi ba sila? Ano po yung ginagawa nila?
“Wala naman silang sinasabi basta ipapaliwanag mo minsan na
bakit ganyan. Pinapaliwanag ko naiintindihan na nila yun.”
|
Assisting
one another (fellow domestic helpers in household) to accomplish duties
|
If in the household, the domestic helper is fortunate enough to
have colleagues around, they help each in accomplishing the tasks given to
them.
|
Q: So ano naman
po ba ang araw-araw na ginagawa ninyo?
“Kasama na sa pag-aalaga ng bata , maglalaba, magluluto,
naglilinis, dalawa kasi kami – nagtutulong-tulong nalang kami”
|
Table
Content: In their line of work, domestic helpers are aware that they must
be unconditionally committed to their employer’s authority and to their
assigned duties. Maintaining a civil relationship with their employer is as
important as being compliant and modest, especially during times of personal
neglect or irresponsibility. This is why being able to establish a good
relationship with their employer helps in enabling the domestic helpers to
approach their bosses, during times wherein they would need assistance,
particularly financial ones.
Table3.
How Domestic Helpers adjust to leaving their family in the province.
-The following table illustrates the
measures taken by domestic helpers to amend for leaving their families to enter
domestic work.
Themes
|
Working Definition/Description
|
Data
Extract (Quotes from participants)
|
Maintaining
Communication
|
Domestic Helpers attempt to consistently communicate with their
families in the province. They make use of available resources such as
telecommunication tools, for example, landlines or mobile phones, to connect
with their families.
|
Q: Tuwing
kalian po kayo nakikipag-usap sa pamilya ninyo?
“Pag nagpapadala ako ng pera, pero hindi lang tuwing nagpapadala
ako ng pera tiyaka lang ako tumatawag. Pag minsan na mimiss ko sila, dun ko
din sila tatawagan.”
Q: So pano po
kayo nakikipag-usap sa kanila?
“Sa cellphone… Tawag-tawag nalang kahit anong araw, pag gusto
mo.”
|
Engaging
in alternative leisure activities
|
Domestic Helpers are w/o full control of their time, even with
communicating with their family. They keep themselves occupied with
particular leisure activities, such as going out with their current employers
and watching TV or relaxing at home, to “free” their minds off missing their
own family.
|
Q: So ano po ba
yung nararamdaman ninyo na malayo kayo sa pamilya mo?
“Nung una malungkot syempre, pero ng katagalan na rin okay na
kasi masaya naman dito – naglilibang libang nalang. Nanunuod palagi ng TV.
Masaya naman kasi pag namamasyal o umaalis sila, sinasama ako”
|
“Releasing”
or unconstructively expressing their emotions on being away from their family
|
Domestic Helpers experience different emotional states when
being away from their family for a long period of time. Most would “let out” their depressed
feeling and cry; although there are some who would go to the extent of
harshly confronting others to achieve what they desire for their family.
|
Q: Tuwing
kalian niyo po naiisip ang iyong mga anak?
“Pag pagod ako minsan.
Minsan umiiyak din ako. Wala lang nakaupo lang”
Q: Ano naman po
nararamdaman mo pag nagka problema sa inyo, tapos naririto kayo?
“Nung July 7 nasa Ospital anak ko, nagka UTI. Nag-away kami ng
nanay ko kasi nga di niya alam gagawin niya – nakapag salita ako ng hindi
maganda… pag may nangyari sa anak ko baka di ko alam magagawa ko sa inyo.
Kasi kahit anong gagawin ko wala na talaga akong magagawa kasi malayo ako”
|
Relating
to other people within their current environment about their endeavors
|
Domestic Helpers are committed to their employment with their
employer, which therefore inclines them to be present in the employer’s
household. Being away from their families, they are not able to directly
monitor their own family problems; they would simply open up and share it to
their employers.
|
Q: Pag may
problema po kayo sa pamilya ninyo sa probinsya, anong ginagawa ninyo?
“Pag may problema, syempre sasabihan nila kung ano kailangan,
nasasabi ko din sa amo ko kung ano mga kailangan. Tapos di naman nila
binibigo yung sinasabi ko.”
|
Motivating
themselves to be persevering and to be
tolerant
|
Domestic helpers accept and are aware that they will be away
from their families for a long time. They exhibit resilience for their
families; they endure certain hardships and concentrate on their work to earn
their income.
|
Q: Sa ngayon
po, nagugustuhan niyo ba ang sitwasyon ninyo?
“Okay lang naman. Minsan sinasabi ko din sa sarili ko bakit
ganito ganyan. Pero wala naman ako magagawa kasi syempre naghahangad din ako
ng maganda
Q: Anong tingin
mo sa lagay ng trabaho mo at pamilya mo ngayon?
“Nagtitiis nalang ako para makaraos kami”
|
Table
Content: The most common option for domestic helpers is to consistently
maintain communication with their families. Although, there are others who
would consider alternative means of mostly emotional behavior, such as by
constructively managing them through engaging in alternative, relatively
pleasant activities, or by simply letting their negative emotions out and/or
relating them to the people within their current surroundings.
IV.
CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATION
The findings show that domestic helpers go through
various experiences pertaining to leaving the province and entering a new
living condition here in Manila. The primary reason of domestic helpers for
entering this line of work is to alleviate their rural poverty (Sayres, 2005), to
better the situation and to sustain the needs of their family. Although they would garner new experiences, such as
being able to buy things that are only sold here in Manila, they are still
obligated to fulfill certain duties to their own family. In
entering this line of work, they are aware of the particular responsibilities
that come with it. Most of the participants stated that even if they make a few
mistakes, they accept these faults and try to immediately resolve conflicts
with their employers. As domestic helpers become distant from their family, they
can consistently communicate with their family, but they cannot directly
monitor problems that occur with their family; they are simply given
time by their employers to go back to their family in the province. For this
reason, establishing a good relationship and resolving conflicts with their
employer is essential; this will also enable social support which can promote
the resilience of these domestic workers (van der Ham, N.D). Pertaining to the
support they need, particularly with financial difficulties, the domestic helper
can be mistress-dependent, when they are confronted with extreme need for
survival (Arnado, 2003, p.169). The researchers recommend furthering the
investigation and studying the effects of the decisions made by domestic helpers
that directly affect their families in the provinces. This can be a vital point
of inquiry as future research may be able to determine if entering domestic
work can be an effective source of rural poverty alleviation. Also, the
researchers consider looking into the employer’s demographic information as
well, as this may have bearing on the employer-employee relationship, and in
effect, affect the domestic helper’s motives as well.
V.
REFERENCES
Arnado, J. (2003). Maternalism
in Mistress-Maid Relations: The Philippine Experience. Journal of International Women’s
Studies Vol. 4 #3 May 2003 177
International
Labour Office. (2006). Kasambahay
Handbook. Everything
the Filipino Domestic Worker Wants to Know. Domestic Workers (DOMWORK) Project, Philippines ILO
Programme on Mobilizing Action for the Protection of Domestic Workers from
Forced Labour and Trafficking in
South-East Asia
MacDonald, M. (2006). Reproducing Social Identities:
Employer-Employee Relationships within Paid Domestic Labor in the Netherlands. Independent
Study Project (ISP) Collection. Paper 355. School for International
Training, Sexuality and Gender Identity Program, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Sayres, N. J. (2005). An Analysis of the Situation of Filipino
Domestic Workers. ILO Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour: Mobilizing Action for the Protection of
Domestic Workers from Forced Labour and Trafficking in Southeast Asia.
Van der Ham, L. (n.d). Resilience and environmental resources of
female domestic workers from the Philippines.
what kind of relationship do they usually have with their employers? is it more on employer -employee or does it turn familial the longer they stay?
ReplyDeleteColeen Fu/11047976/DLSU/AB-PSM
hi coleen!
Deletethe relationship of the domestic helper with their employer would be depicted as a contractual employment relationship, this would mean that the D.H. has the basic obligation of providing mandatory services to their employer. their relationship would start out as being professional/civil, as the purpose of D.H would be to render arranged services.
according to an article by Arnado (2003), since the D.H. is integrated to the employer's family, she develops a sense of "utang na loob", which results in the D.H. having to abide by the the employer's rules. although our results have shown certain instances wherein the domestic helper engages in activities with the employer such as going out on occasional trips with them. we (the researchers) could say that the relationship of the D.H with their employer progresses into a more familial sort, (though still under the arranged employment contract) as they stay longer with their employers
Hope we answered your question, thank you! :)
The study presents a multitude of sacrifices that domestic helpers must endure. Given this, besides the financial gain from working as a domestic helper, can any other personal, psychological benefits obtained able to offset unpleasant experiences (e.g.: feelings of detachment and separation, depression, stress and anxiety, etc.) encountered?
ReplyDeleteSara de los Reyes
10824138
Psychology-Business Management
DLSU-M
hi sara!
Deletethe main reason of domestic helpers for engaging in this line of work is for financial stability and benefits, which is basically for their families back in the province. It is obvious that the domestic helper has to commit to the authority of the employers, therefore also sacrificing personal time, space and decision-making (Arnado, 2003) and family relationship, in the process.
Results of the study show that domestic helpers do feel sad, as they are away from their families. But their work is a necessity as it is provides for their basic needs and aspirations. But aside from monetary compensation, domestic helpers do acquire other benefits from domestic working, The results show that they are able to buy things that they initially couldn't buy back in the provinces due to small income. Other personal benefits also include spending time with their employer's families for leisure purposes.
Hope we answered your question sara! thank you :)
should have asked about the ways of which the helpers adjust to the temperament, needs and frequency of demands from their employer.
ReplyDeletewho are the target users of this study? who will benefit from the results?
Dr. Alexa Abrenica
Thank you for your comment and question Dr. Abrenica. Thank you for taking your time to view our research even during your busy schedule :)
Deleteregarding your comment (on the question how do they adjust to their employers) ma'am, we (the researchers) actually recommended that the study would look into the demographic information of the employers, if the qualitative research would be further studied, as we are also considering that it might have some effect on the experiences and adjustment process of the domestic helpers as well. Also, for the needs and frequency of demands, the research focuses on the experiences and adjustment of the domestic helpers, although it only pertains to their line of work; so all experiences and adjustment process stated in the themes are related to their domestic work. the themes: Approaching their employer when in need of their assistance regarding a particular situation they are in, Solving Conflicts during times of negligence and Assisting one another (fellow domestic helpers in household) to accomplish duties, illustrate how the domestic helpers would approach their employers during times of need. As to the demands, they help each other out in order to efficiently accomplish their tasks.
The study's target users are all researchers who would want to look into and investigate the experiences and adjustment (in relation to their work) of domestic helpers here in Manila. But the group believes that it will benefit most domestic helpers as they may be able to look into this study and be knowledgeable of certain experiences of their co-domestic helpers, and to relate these experiences to their own and contemplate on their choices with regards to entering domestic work.
Thank you for your time Doc Abrenica! And I hope we have acknowledged your comment properly and answered your question :)
the results of your study is adequate for analyzing the adjustment processes which domestic helpers go through, specifically here for Manila. The study you conducted is not applicable to a wider range of domestic helpers.I would also like to ask if your results can be applicable to domestic helpers before or is it just specific to currently employed domestic helpers? Thank you.
ReplyDelete10836691
ReplyDeleteAB-Communication Arts
DLSU-Manila
hi francis!
ReplyDeletethe study does not focus on domestic helpers who are retired and/or under legal working age. the study only applies to currently employed domestic helpers who have worked for their employer for at least 2 years already. Though the group is not disregarding the possibility that results may be applicable to domestic helpers before as the purpose of this study is to find the common experiences of domestic helpers in their line of work, in an urban setting.
Hope we answered your question! thank you :)