Personal Recognition Strategies of Undocumented Migrant Domestic Workers in The Netherlands

Abstract

The struggle for recognition of undocumented migrants is usually portrayed as a public affair involving the contestation of legal status. We advance a broader conceptualization that demands attention to the more intimate sphere where relational processes of recognition take place in interactions with significant others. Based on 70 in-depth interviews, we identify four recognition strategies adopted by Filipino undocumented migrant domestic workers in the Netherlands: being the breadwinner, taking pride in work, creating a sense of belonging, and being civically engaged. By illustrating the importance of personal recognition, this paper contributes to ongoing debates on recognition and migrant agency.