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Health Care Access for Migrant Domestic Workers (Philippines)

Philippines
18/05/2009
28/02/2011
Keywords
Research; Emplopyment conditions; Women's health; Social protection

Project description

The Philippines is one of the leading sources of migrant workers in the world. In 2007, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas reported the estimated number at 8 727 520. Last year 146 337 women were newly hired, 30% of them as domestic workers. The top countries if destination were Hong Kong, Italy, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Cyprus, Singapore, Spain and Jordan. While the demand for domestic workers continues, the conditions under which they work and live remain wanting. Most of the destination countries, especially those in the Middle East, do not recognize domestic work in their labour laws. This translates into an absence of protection and recognition of human rights, including access to health services. Migrant workers are exposed to conditions of vulnerability throughout the migration cycle and often endure abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, work-related accidents and injuries, mental health problems, and nutrition and dietary deficiencies. They also lack access to reproductive health services, leading to unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, reproductive tract infections, and sexually-transmitted infections (including HIV). This project will endeavor to describe the state of sexual and reproductive health, as well as the health services available to, migrant Filipinas working as domestics in selected countries in three of the aforementioned countries: Hong Kong, Singapore and Qatar. The goal is to provide the Government of the Philippines, nongovernmental organizations working for migrants and migrants themselves with the knowledge required to pursue better health care in an area of special concern to women.

Primary thematic area

Secondary thematic areas

Social protection

Unions & fair employment; Regulatory & legal frameworks

Project details

Umbrella programme

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Accountable Org(s)

Canadan International Development Research Centre; Action for Health Initiatives (Achieve), Inc.

Funding Org(s)

Parliament of Canada

Implementing/
Partner Org(s)

Action for Health Initiatives (Achieve), Inc.

Project contact

International Development Research Centre, PO Box 8500, Ottawa ON Canada, K1G 3H9, CP 8500, Ottawa ON Canada, K1G 3H9 (info@idrc.ca) ((+1) 613-236-6163)

Funding (USD)

Committed

Spent

$

4,787

$

4,787

Project website

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D-Portal link

Project evaluation

Evaluation source

N/A

Evaluation methodology

N/A

Programme targets

N/A

Results achieved

N/A

Targets met?

N/A

2023

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