Swarna Ukwatta

Impact of Female Transnational Migration on Families in Sri Lanka: Domestic Worker Migration Overseas Swarna Ukwatta

Transnational families in which one or more members are out of the country for several years are increasingly common in the Asian region. Moreover, there are increasing numbers of migrant families with one or both parents being overseas for work for a significant part of the growing up of their children. In the Asian region, a large proportion of absent mothers are found in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka which are the major suppliers of overseas domestic workers. This book examines the effects of the migration of female transnational domestic workers on the economic and social situation of their families and children in Sri Lanka. On one hand, the effects of increased money on the overall economic well-being of their families and the education of children are positive. On the other hand, there are several negative impacts on the behavioural patterns and health of the children left behind and the family as a whole. This study also reports on the arrangements that are made by the migrant women for taking care of the children while they are away and how they maintain intimacy with their families from a distance.