Gender-Differentiated Patterns of Migrant Network: The Case Of Nayu Migrant Workers in Malaysia

Abstract

     This paper examines how gender relations influence and are influenced by migrant networks. It argues that within migration networks, there are differences between men and women in terms of their position in the networks and their access to networks on the basis of sexual difference. It draws on the ethnographic fieldwork at Tom Yam restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with in-depth interviews and participant and non-participant observations. The paper concludes by discussing the existence of separate men’s and women’s networks. This study found that men and women are likely to access different forms of networks when they first migrate from the border southern provinces of Thailand to Malaysia. Within Malaysia, female migrant workers do not move as frequently as male workers from their increasing networks in Malaysia. Migrant women differ from their male counterparts in that they do not use their networks to seek available jobs and social contacts with restaurant owners, no matter how many connections they have. Women were thought to be at higher risk, therefore, they needed to establish close ties to protect themselves which takes time. As a consequence, moving within Malaysia is not easy for women.