Filipino migrant workers in Malaysia: trajectories of undocumented labour

Professor Chris Forde speaks to Professor Jonathan Winterton about Jonathan’s work exploring Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Malaysia. They discuss the motives for Filipinos to become migrant workers, the role of the regulatory framework and agents, and the multiple trajectories of exploitation.  

Professor Winterton is one of the many CERIC members who presented at the 40th International Labour Process Conference held on 21-23 April 2022 in Padua, Italy. This podcast episode focuses on the presentation he gave at the conference on his work with Lizel Nacua. 

This episode was recorded in May 2022. If you would like to get in touch regarding this research, contact research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. A transcript of this recording is available. 

About the speakers: 

Chris Forde is Professor of Employment Studies and Co-Director of the Centre of Employment Relations Innovation and Change at the University of Leeds, and co-ordinator of the Q Step Programme at the University of Leeds, funded by the Nuffield Foundation and the ESRC. He is also Deputy Director of Digit and co-lead of the Digit Data Observatory. His principal research interest is in temporary agency working, but he also conducts research into migration. 

Jonathan Winterton is Professor of Work and Employment and Head of the Work and Employment Relations Department. His principal research interests centre on human capital, including work along two axes: one concerned with the quality of work and the other with how human capital is developed, deployed, and retained.