In Pei-Chia Lan’s chapter, she provides insight on the experience of overseas contract workers (OCW) and their role in the transnational economy. This industry is filled with complexities as well as injustices. For example, a worker’s rights, freedoms and wages often differ depending on their contracts which is highly contingent on the host country and employer (Lan, 3407, Kindle Edition). Unfortunately, many of the OCW are viewed as expendable labor thus resulting in exploitation and potentially dangerous situations. Within this past month, a Filipino overseas worker named Jeanelyn Villavende appeared to be killed while working as a maid in Kuwait. This represents just one case of worker exploitation and injustice. This reading revealed the sensitive nature of this work. It is crucial to the economies of these countries, but there is serious risk. I do not believe that this industry will ever disappear, but I hope that these nations can find a way to ensure that workers are paid better and protected under labor laws. How can countries employ policies to improve conditions for OCW?
Works Cited:
Asian Diasporas: New Formations, New Conceptions (Kindle Location 3407). Kindle Edition.
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