With the increasing number of men and women involved in international labor migration, addressing policy issues and concerns has become a critical task for sending and receiving countries. This not only includes migration and employment legislation but also the positioning of migrant workers within larger society. Shirlena Huang and Brenda S.A. Yeoh, in their 2003 research article titled “The Difference Gender Makes: State Policy and Contract Migrant Workers in Singapore,” offer a gendered analysis of Singapore’s state policies and practices regarding the incorporation of male and female contract migrant workers into the local society.
What are the policy issues concerning migrant workers in Singapore?
Singapore, like many other countries, grapples with several policy challenges surrounding migrant workers. Expanding upon this issue, the researchers shed light on the effects of state policies and practices on these workers. State policy determines the legal protection afforded to migrant workers, and this can differ based on gender. Furthermore, state-level medical surveillance, the valuation of skills, and social control in public spaces have distinct implications for male and female migrant workers. The research explores these policy issues and their consequences in the Singaporean context.
How are male and female contract migrant workers treated differently in Singapore?
Huang and Yeoh’s study revealed significant disparities in the treatment of male and female contract migrant workers. These differences manifest in various aspects of their lives in Singapore. For instance, access to legal protection can vary based on gender, leaving female migrant workers at a disadvantage. The researchers also examined how state medical surveillance impacts the bodies of male and female migrants, emphasizing any gender-specific implications. These findings shed light on the unequal treatment and opportunities experienced by contract migrant workers depending on their gender.
What is the role of state medical surveillance for migrant workers?
State medical surveillance plays a crucial role in the lives of contract migrant workers in Singapore. It involves monitoring their health, often as a prerequisite for employment or residence permits. Huang and Yeoh’s research highlights how this surveillance affects male and female workers differently. By subjecting them to medical examinations, screenings, and restrictions, the state exerts control over their bodies. This surveillance not only has implications for their health but also influences their legal status and access to employment opportunities within Singapore.
Findings indicate that different skills are valued based on gender
In their research, Huang and Yeoh found that the skills of male and female contract migrant workers are valued differently in Singapore. While the specific skills sought after may vary across industries, gender plays a significant role in how these skills are perceived. For example, certain sectors may prioritize physical strength, traditionally associated with men, while undervaluing skills often associated with women, such as caregiving or domestic work. This gendered valuation of skills affects the types of employment opportunities and wages available to male and female migrants.
Migrant workers are subject to social control in public spaces
Huang and Yeoh’s research delved into the social control mechanisms employed by Singaporean authorities to regulate migrant workers in public spaces. While both male and female workers experience some form of control, the study showed that these measures are not uniformly applied. Male workers may face tighter monitoring and scrutiny due to certain assumptions and stereotypes. Women, on the other hand, may encounter different forms of social control, often related to their perceived vulnerability or moral judgments. Such control mechanisms restrict the freedom of movement and reinforce hierarchical power dynamics between migrant workers and the larger society.
The implications of gendered treatment for migrant workers
The gendered treatment of migrant workers in Singapore carries significant implications for their overall well-being, rights, and integration into society. By subjecting male and female workers to different policies, practices, and societal perceptions, their access to legal protection, employment opportunities, and healthcare can be compromised. Such gender disparities reinforce existing inequalities and perpetuate discriminatory practices within the labor market.
Takeaways
Huang and Yeoh’s research on the gendered treatment of contract migrant workers in Singapore sheds light on the various ways state policies and practices shape the lives of these individuals. By examining policy issues, differential treatment based on gender, and the role of state medical surveillance and social control, this research highlights the need for gender-sensitive policy reforms. Creating an inclusive and equitable system that addresses the rights and well-being of all migrant workers, regardless of gender, is crucial for building a fair and just society.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the findings outlined above, the original research article by Shirlena Huang and Brenda S.A. Yeoh can be accessed here.
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