Broadening the scope of live-in migrant care research: How care networks shape the experience of precarious work

Abstract

Live-in migrant care work is increasing across welfare states. In the context of ageing populations and changing healthcare systems, live-in care enables ageing in place without overburdening family caregivers. However, research has shown that live-in care often puts migrant care workers and their recipients in precarious positions. While the outcome of precarious work has gained attention, it is not self-evident. Based on interviews with migrant care workers in the Netherlands, as well as formal and informal caregivers, and the staff of intermediary organisations, this study shows that besides client conditions, the interactions of actors in the care network shape the circumstances and experience of migrant live-in care work. The findings suggest that managing the care networks to which migrant care workers belong makes it possible to mitigate the associated precariousness.