Representation of Domestic Workers (DWs) in China Zhirong HAO 16th June 2009 Postgraduate Student Conference

Outline of the Presentation Introduction Proposed Research Methodology DWs’ Representing Organizations My Problems

Introduction Add Your Title Background  To examine the roles of organizations that represent DWs in China  To examine the roles of organizations that represent DWs in China.  To understand the reasons/factors that have influence on the effectiveness of these organizations.  Terminology Domestic Worker (DWs) in my research refer to person employed in private homes in urban areas -- taking care of children, cleaning and doing other household labor. Domestic Worker (DWs) in my research refer to person employed in private homes in urban areas -- taking care of children, cleaning and doing other household labor.  Background/Problem Domestic work has become very popular in China recent years. Domestic work has become very popular in China recent years. However,…… However,…… ObjectivesMotivations  To Fill Literature Gap No scholarly research about DWs’ representation in China. I am doing my PhD study in expectation of contributing some knowledge to this field.  Deeply impressed by violation of DWs’ rights through news reports and my own experience once talking with some DWs in Ji’nan City, China, I hope I can help find out real reasons of their plight.

StatusRights Gap Domestic Workers--Marginalized 1)As Women Workers 2)As Informal Workers 3)As Migrant and Laid-off Workers Excluded from Labor and Employment Law Excluded from Social Protection (eg. Social Security System) Violation of Rights as Humans (eg. lack of dignity and respects) Invisibility Fragmentation Low wage Work overtime without extra pay Bad working conditions …… Work Characteristics DWs= more vulnerable groups DW

As individuals, DWs can not overcome the limitations and constraints when trying to protect their rights …… As individuals, DWs can not overcome the limitations and constraints when trying to protect their rights …… There are organizations for DWs, whether they had existed before or have newly emerged….. There are organizations for DWs, whether they had existed before or have newly emerged….. What are their roles? What are their roles? My research begins…. My research begins….

Research Questions Major RQ What are the roles of the organizations in representing domestic workers in China? Can these organizations represent DWs effectively? Why? Subsidiary RQs 1.What are the organizations that represent DWs in China? 2.Can these organizations represent DWs effectively in China? If not, Why? What are the factors that prevent them from representing DWs more effectivly? 3.How do the organizations perform their roles? What strategies and activities do they carry out? 4.What are the structures of these organizations? 5.How do staff think of their organizations’ roles in representing domestic workers?

DWs’ Representing Organizations Note: FTUs Federation of Trade Unions WF Women’s Federation LAGs Legal Advocacy Groups NGOs Non-governmental Organizations WFFTUs LAGNGOs DWs

My Hypothesis These organizations can not represent DWs effectively. Why do I think so? What are my reasons? How can I collect evidence? By reviewing literature + my own reasoning + future field work?!

State organ ？ Dual identity : Representative of national interests and workers’ interests at the same time? (Ambivalent roles) Not decline but increase: membership increase, union branches increase etc. Leaders appointed from above but not through democratic election ……. Very different from trade unions in other countries. What are their real roles for DWs in China? Why? Low efficiency with strong power?? Federation of Trade Unions

Under the leadership of Communist Party of China (CPC) As a bridge connecting party/government and women citizens Fund from government (eg. Local public finance ) Quasi-governmental Organization? Passive role for protecting women? Organizational structure? Leadership? Activities? What’s its real roles in protecting DWs? Why ?Further investigation… Source: ( All China Women’s Federation Statues, 2008) Women’s Federation

Include Academic Actors (eg. The Centre for Women’s Law & Legal Services of Peking University,1995) Legal Consulting Office As independent actors? Research or reputation is their goal? Not really for DWs’ interests? …… What are their real roles for DWs? Why? Legal Advocacy Groups

Include Grassroots Organizations Charitable Organizations etc Lack of legitimacy? Lack of fund? Leaders? Structure? They do not have strong influence and mobilizing power among DWs. What are their real roles? Why? further investigation… NGOs

Proposed Research Methodology  Research Design Inductive Strategy Inductive Strategy Case Study Approach Case Study Approach  Methodology Qualitative study employing: Qualitative study employing: --Semi-structured interviews (eg. organization leaders and staff) --Semi-structured interviews (eg. organization leaders and staff) --Non-participant observation (eg. Organization activities for DWs ） --Non-participant observation (eg. Organization activities for DWs ） Analysis of documents Analysis of documents Multiple sources to collect data Multiple sources to collect data

 Sample Cases Selection Investigate TUs, WF, LAGs and NGOs in one city, Xi’an( Shaanxi, China). Investigate TUs, WF, LAGs and NGOs in one city, Xi’an( Shaanxi, China). A typical city for my research, where it seems that all these organizations are active. And LAGs and NGOs for DWs have been established for a longer time compared with most other cities in China. A typical city for my research, where it seems that all these organizations are active. And LAGs and NGOs for DWs have been established for a longer time compared with most other cities in China. By investigating these organizations in one city, I can also get more information about the relationship between these different actors which could be one factor that influences the effectiveness. (Interacting actors?) By investigating these organizations in one city, I can also get more information about the relationship between these different actors which could be one factor that influences the effectiveness. (Interacting actors?) For practical consideration, I did internship in Shaanxi Women’s Federation (SXWF ） in Xi‘an for two months in For practical consideration, I did internship in Shaanxi Women’s Federation (SXWF ） in Xi‘an for two months in In addition, I lived in Xi’an for four years and am familiar with surroundings. I have acquaintances there who may provide help to negotiate access to these organizations. In addition, I lived in Xi’an for four years and am familiar with surroundings. I have acquaintances there who may provide help to negotiate access to these organizations.  Ethical Issues Informed Consent: Voluntary Participation? Informed Consent: Voluntary Participation? Avoid Deception: the risk of exposing them? Avoid Deception: the risk of exposing them? Privacy and Confidentiality Privacy and Confidentiality

My problems Theoretically Theoretically Conceptual framework? Conceptual framework? Organizational theory Organizational theory Institutional theory Institutional theory Representation theory Representation theory Mobilizing Theory Mobilizing Theory …… …… Methodologically Methodologically units of analysis?? units of analysis??

WELCOME Questions and Suggestions! Thank you!