Female Ethiopian Migrant Domestic Workers: an Analysis
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FEMALE ETHIOPIAN MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS: AN ANALYSIS OF MIGRATION, RETURN-MIGRATION AND REINTEGRATION EXPERIENCES by NAAMI BELIHU KETEMA A THESIS Presented to the Department of International Studies and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts September 2014 THESIS APPROVAL PAGE Student: Naami Belihu Ketema Title: Female Ethiopian Migrant Domestic Workers: An Analysis of Migration, Return- Migration and Reintegration Experiences This thesis has been accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts degree in the Department of International Studies by: Anita M. Weiss Chairperson Yvonne Braun Member Leslie Steeves Member and J. Andrew Berglund Dean of the Graduate School Original approval signatures are on file with the University of Oregon Graduate School. Degree awarded September 2014 ii © 2014 Naami Belihu Ketema iii THESIS ABSTRACT Naami Belihu Ketema Master of Arts Department of International Studies September 2014 Title: Female Ethiopian Migrant Domestic Workers: An Analysis of Migration, Return- Migration and Reintegration Experiences This study explores the different effects of gendered migration focusing on return migration and reintegration challenges and opportunities facing female Ethiopian migrant returnees from Middle East countries. It looks into the different stages of migration to understand some of the cultural, economic and social transformations women domestic workers experience as immigrants and laborers in the Gulf region and up on their return to Ethiopia. In doing so, the study examines the different ways women try to renegotiate and reintegrate with their families and communities. In-depth interviews with eighteen women returnees reveal the uneven distribution of experiences and outcomes of gendered migration. However, there exists some consistency in the disruptive and disempowering effect of these experiences in the destination countries which usually extends after return. After return, the renegotiations of women returnees on issues of reception, economic betterment, relationship rebuilding and exercising agency with families and communities is often stressful, isolating and disempowering. iv CURRICULUM VITAE NAME OF AUTHOR: Naami Belihu Ketema GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS ATTENDED: University of Oregon, Eugene, USA Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Alemaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia DEGREES AWARDED: Master of Arts, International Studies, 2014, University of Oregon, Eugene Master of Laws in Public International Law, 2011, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Bachelor in Law, 2007, Alemaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Development and Aid; Gender studies; Development policy; Migration studies and Public law PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Lecturer, Arba Minch University, February 2008-January 2009 Research Coordinator, Mela Single Mothers’ Cooperative Needs Assessment Project (MSMN-NAP), July 2007-January 2008 Graduate Teaching Fellow, University of Oregon, September 2012-June 2013; September 2013-December 2013; March 2014-June 2014 GRANTS, AWARDS, AND HONORS: Thurber Award, University of Oregon, 2012/2013 Promising Scholar Award, Graduate School of University of Oregon, 2011/2012 v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my advisor Dr. Anita Weiss for guiding me throughout the writing process of this thesis. I am also grateful for the feedback I received from the very helpful Dr. Yvonne Braun and Dr. Leslie Steeves. Another appreciation goes to Hope Marston, Brooke Cagno and wonderful stuff for helping me navigating through administrative matters. I am indebted to the 18 women who participated in the interview process of this research. I am profoundly moved by their willingness to share their stories with me in spite of the personal nature and sensitivity of the subject matter. I am very appreciative of Heather Wolford, the Kirtner-Goldenberg family and who have been there for me and helped me in editing my draft. My husband, Tewodros Workneh, and my daughter, Abigiya Workneh, you made me who I am and I am so grateful. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1 Personal Note: Why Female Ethiopian Migrant Domestic Workers? .................. 4 Research Questions ............................................................................................... 7 Methodology ......................................................................................................... 8 Limitations of the Study ........................................................................................ 13 Thesis Outline ....................................................................................................... 15 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................... 17 The Feminization of Migration ............................................................................. 17 Discourses on Empowerment of Women ............................................................. 21 Theories of Return Migration and Reintegration .................................................. 24 The Acculturation Model ............................................................................... 24 Cultural Identity Model (CIM) ...................................................................... 28 III. CONTEXTUALIZING LABOR MIGRATION OF ETHIOPIAN WOMEN TO THE GULF REGION ..................................................................................... 31 Brief Migration History of Ethiopia ..................................................................... 32 The Middle East: The New Destination for Ethiopian Labor Migrants ............... 37 The Kafala (Sponsorship) System ........................................................................ 42 Structural Dependency .................................................................................... 43 Absence of Institutional Protection ................................................................. 45 Denial of Fundamental Freedom of Movement .............................................. 47 vii Chapter Page IV. THE PRE-RETURN CONDITIONS OF FEMALE ETHIOPIAN MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS ...................................................................................... 49 The Domestic Agents of Migration ...................................................................... 49 Migrating to Aräb Agär: A Look into the Routes of Emigration ......................... 58 The Perils of Domestic Work in Aräb Agär ......................................................... 65 The Immigration System ................................................................................. 65 Gender Relations ............................................................................................. 69 Race, Class, Religion and Nationality ............................................................ 71 Culture and Identity ........................................................................................ 74 Coping Mechanisms and Outcomes ...................................................................... 76 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 82 V. AN ANALYSIS OF THE REINTEGRATION CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF FEMALE ETHIOPIAN MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS ....................................................................................... 83 The Agonies of Reception ..................................................................................... 84 The Hope and Illusiveness of Economic Betterment ............................................. 90 Changed Life Standard as a Challenge .................................................................. 96 Reestablishing Relations ........................................................................................ 98 Self-empowerment and Self-worth ........................................................................ 103 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 106 VI. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 107 viii Chapter Page Summary of Major Findings ................................................................................ 107 Recommendations ................................................................................................. 111 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................ 116 A. MAPS OF ETHIOPIA AND MIDDLE EAST ................................................ 116 B. INTERVIEW GUIDE IN AMHARIC ............................................................. 117 C. INTERVIEW GUIDE IN ENGLISH ............................................................... 118 REFERENCES CITED ............................................................................................... 119 ix LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Domestic Push Factors of Migration of Ethiopian Women .............................. 56 2. The Process and Perils of Domestic Work in Aräb Agär ................................. 78 3. Return-migration, Reintegration and Empowerment ........................................ 104 x LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Attributes of the Research Participants