Constructions of Care in Modern Greece: Gendered Relationships between Filipina Domestic Workers and Greek Employers

Migrant Domestic Workers and Human Trafficking in Greece: Expanding the Narrative

“…In the early days, paid domestic work was seen as a form of servitude that was naturally reserved to women. Until the mid-20th century, domestic services were provided mostly by English (Topali 2009). In the 90s, the fall of the Soviet bloc was followed by an influx of middleaged Eastern European women, (Bulgaria, Ukraine, Georgia and Romania), travelling alone, who were mostly employed as live-in caretakers for the incurably sick or the elderly (Kassimati 2007;Bellas 2012).…”

“…In a study in 2008, Psimmenos and Skamnakis reported how discriminatory attitudes and prejudices restricted the job opportunities of certain nationalities to the domestic work sector and shaped work relations of patronage (Psimmenos and Skamnakis 2008). The Filipino association attributed the demand for Filipino domestic workers to their perceived loyalty but also their passive behaviour, which is particularly appreciated in the affluent neighbourhoods where they work (also Topali, 2009). The African women who The implications of such a social environment of discrimination and apathy on Greece's antitrafficking policy was illustrated in the case of 'Manolada', which the first case of THB in agriculture to reach the national courts.…”

Migrant Domestic Workers and Human Trafficking in Greece: Expanding the Narrative

“…The first wave of domestic workers in Greece consisted of young Filipino women, often assigned with child-caring duties because of their Christian background and command of English (Topali 2009). In the 90s, the fall of the Soviet bloc was followed by an influx of middleaged Eastern European women, (Bulgaria, Ukraine, Georgia and Romania), travelling alone, who were mostly employed as live-in caretakers for the incurably sick or the elderly (Kassimati 2007;Bellas 2012).…”

“…In a study in 2008, Psimmenos and Skamnakis reported how discriminatory attitudes and prejudices restricted the job opportunities of certain nationalities to the domestic work sector and shaped work relations of patronage (Psimmenos and Skamnakis 2008). The Filipino association attributed the demand for Filipino domestic workers to their perceived loyalty but also their passive behaviour, which is particularly appreciated in the affluent neighbourhoods where they work (also Topali, 2009). The African women who participated in the interview referred to their perceived ability for hard work; contrary to Greek housemaids, they are considered less demanding and more resilient, ready to do work even if they are sick or menstruate.…”

Demand in the Context of Trafficking in Human Beings in the Domestic Work Sector in Greece

“…Most studies analysing the need for paid domestic assistance stem from the field of social sciences and focus on the role of domestic work as an informal welfare structure and its interconnection with gender. The ethnicity of the worker is often a main reference point (Bellas 2012;Topali 2009;Psimmenos 2011). Several contributions focus on the experience of the worker herself in a relational context, in particular vis-à-vis the employer and the host society.…”