Female household worker's own perceptions of remittances as a sustainable livelihood : A case study of migrant domestic workers in Saudi Arabia

Abstract: This thesis investigates the perceptions of female migrant household workers situated in Saudi Arabia and how remittances can be a sustainable livelihood for them and their households. There has been limited research surrounding female household workers' own perceptions of sustainable livelihoods and particularly of those situated in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this thesis aims to fill a research gap surrounding both Saudi Arabia and female household workers perceptions. The research is focused on understanding livelihood outcomes for these women’s households and what assets are important to maintain and enhance remittances as a livelihood strategy. The study is a case study that was conducted by semi-structured face-to-face interviews involving 18 female household workers from Africa and Asia. Furthermore, the study was highly influenced by the Sustainable livelihood framework and the findings suggested that remittances have a positive impact on livelihood outcomes in terms of intangible and tangible well-being. The study also explores the complex dynamics of remittances and assets whereas the findings regarding assets suggest that different capitals and assets have been highly important in maintaining and enhancing both each other and the option to use remittances as a livelihood strategy. Lastly, the perceptions of the interviewed women fall under the criteria of what a sustainable livelihood should entail and the findings further highlight knowledge brought by theories from the Sustainable livelihood approach and New Economics of Labor Migration.