The term “feminization of migration” has been proposed in the context of international migration since the late 20th century. It refers to the high proportion of women migrating to high-income countries, where their work is concentrated in care and domestic work. The United Nations used the term “feminization of migration” in a working paper published in 2007, which highlighted the proportion of female migrant workers in UN documents

Challenges Faced by Migrant Domestic Workers

Migrant domestic workers face several challenges in host countries, including
Exploitation and Physical and Psychological Abuse
Some workers experience physical or psychological abuse from employers
Harsh Working Conditions
– Long working hours without sufficient breaks and lack of privacy, as they often live in the employer’s home
Lack of Legal Protection
– Inadequate laws to protect the rights of domestic workers and difficulty accessing the judicial system
Difficulty Adapting
– Facing language barriers and cultural differences, leading to social isolation
Unstable Legal Status
– Working under the threat of deportation and living with illegal residency status.

Needed Support for Migrant Domestic Workers

To ensure their rights and improve their working and living conditions, migrant domestic workers need diverse support, such as
– Humane Working and Living Conditions
– Reasonable working hours and sufficient rest periods
– Safe and appropriate housing
– Training Programs and Language Classes
– To improve communication and integration
– Implementation of Labor Laws
– Ensuring legal protections that guarantee their rights

Challenges in Iraq

Migrant domestic workers in Iraq face significant challenges related to labor rights and legal protection. Despite some efforts to protect their rights, these are often insufficient. Iraqi labor laws stipulate rights for workers, but these laws are frequently not effectively applied to migrant domestic workers, leaving them with minimal basic legal protections

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