Migrant Women in Turkey: Gendered Dynamics of International Labour Migration
This study investigated drivers of migration, incorporation of migrants into the labour market, experiences of work and living in Turkey, agency, coping strategies and use of public space. Overall, 28 migrant women working in a variety of sectors, such as domestic and care, textile and trade industries, in addition to professional sectors, were interviewed, between July 2020 and June 2021. The majority of the skilled women interviewed are upper-middle income academics, teachers, editors, translators, and NGO workers, who mostly migrated from North America, Europe and the Middle East. Most migrant workers whom we interviewed in lesser skilled sectors are migrant domestic workers (MDWs), who mostly migrated from Turkmenistan, Georgia and Armenia. While many of them have short-term residence permits, only two have work permits and social security tied to it, which enables them to access free healthcare; and two of them are irregular workers. This piece includes key findings and key recommendations.