Negotiating Domination

This book explores the remarkable agency and resilience of live-in women Migrant Domestic Workers MDWs. By delving into the lived experiences of Bangladeshi women in the Saudi Arabian migration corridor, it provides an insightful representation of the struggles and strategies employed by approximately 8.45 million women domestic workers globally. Unlike traditional literature that underscores exploitation and forced labor, this book uniquely captures the diverse strategies MDWs utilize to navigate and overcome the pervasive power asymmetries and constraints in their employment relationships. Through detailed accounts of everyday resistance, coping mechanisms, persuasive tactics, and small-scale confrontations, the book challenges prevailing perceptions and offers a fresh perspective on MDWs' agency. Drawing on the experiences of 50 returnee MDWs, this comprehensive book is a vital resource for scholars, researchers, policymakers, and development partners in migration studies. It invites readers to rethink the conventional portrayal of MDWs, acknowledging their strength and ingenuity in the face of adversity and offering a nuanced understanding of their complex realities.