Negotiating Domination: Domestic Workers in the Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia Corridor

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.

With over twenty years of experience in public service, Dr. Mohammed Hossain Sarker brings a deep understanding of policy, governance, and labour rights to both his professional and academic work. His commitment to integrating rigorous research with practical policy solutions led him to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of York, United Kingdom, where his research focused on the agency of migrant domestic workers in navigating power structures. He also holds a Master of Science in Public Policy from Meiji University in Tokyo and a Diploma in International Relations from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. His interests and areas of expertise include workers’ agency, decent work, international labour standards, and the evolving role of the state in labour governance.