Interrogating protection systems for women migrant domestic workers

In the past decade, there has been a proliferation of pre-migration and post- arrival mechanisms by states in response to the exploitation and abuse suffered by women migrant domestic workers. In particular, we have seen the use of law and border as a way to protect these women, whether it is via travel bans or specific legal routes that require formal contracts, training and
involvement of migration agents. Yet, our research and others have continued to find that exploitation and unsafe workplaces remain the norm for many of the women migrant domestic workers. This paper will illuminate key critical questions in relation to the extent to which existing mechanisms of protection in both countries of origin and destination are able to protect women migrant domestic workers. We ask whether these mechanisms and initiatives, can effectively protect and ensure safe work for women migrant domestic workers, or do they serve to perform protection? Bringing together findings from two studies, this paper will consider how there is a need to move beyond a state- by-state response, and rethink current governance and management process