From Sex to Gender: The Feminisation of Migration and Labour-Market Insertion in Spain and Portugal

Abstract

The aim of this article is to study the feminisation and masculinisation of migration and the insertion of the migrant population into the labour market in Spain and Portugal from the perspective of gender. Rather than focusing on the appearance of the demand for migrant labour in social reproduction work, we analyse the situation of both men and women in highly feminised and masculinised activities by studying the impact each exerts on the other, and the way in which this conditions the gender breakdown of the migrant population. We provide a historical view of the work of migrants in the care and cleaning sectors, comparing it with male migrant employment*mostly in construction*and analysing the gendered breakdown of migrant communities. We argue that, in contrast to the generally accepted discourse on the international scene, there has not been a steady evolution in the feminisation of migrant labour in Spain and Portugal. Instead, the presence of migrant women on the labour market fluctuates in accordance with a specific set of variables: welfare state and care regimes, immigration policies, historical links influencing the national origin of migrants, the housing situation, labour markets and the respective economic situations in the construction industry and in domestic and care work.

Empowering migrant domestic helpers through financial education

“…The financial vulnerabilities of migrant domestic workers Women on the move are one of the major trends in international migration flows (Dumont, Martin, & Spielvogel, 2007). While some women migrate to be reunited with family members, more and more are migrating as workers, reflecting a growth in the international service sector, particularly the domestic services sector (Kawar, 2004;Oso Casas & Garson, 2005;Oso & Catarino, 2013). According to an estimate by the International Labour Office (2015), 17.2% of the 67.1 million domestic workers worldwide are migrants and most of them work in highincome countries/regions.…”

“Kites” and “anchors”: The (im)mobility strategies of transnational Latin American families against the crisis in Spain

“…Initially, women were among the pioneers in these migrations, as Table shows, with feminisation rates (women born abroad as a percentage of the stock of registered migrants) being higher among Colombians (64.9% in 1999), followed by Brazilians (63.2% in 2002) and Ecuadoreans (58.7% in 1998). During the consolidation of the migration process, a greater equilibrium between the sexes was achieved due to the arrival of more men through family reunification and the pull effect of the economy during the construction boom (which attracted male workers; Oso & Catarino, ). However, the arrival of the crisis had a severe impact on the construction sector, thus affecting male employment more (Gil‐Alonso & Vidal‐Coso, ).…”

Gendered Boundaries among Latin American Migrants in Brussels

“…This phenomenon has recently been accentuated by the European economic crisis, characterized by the lack of work 'for men', and particularly migrant men (Borrás Catatalà et. al, 2012;Oso & Catarino, 2013). If paid work is a key element in the construction of masculinity (Connell, 2005), being employed in a feminized occupation puts the gender identity of the male worker under stress (Williams, 1993;Gallo, 2006;Guichard-Claudic, 2006).…”