Negotiating differences in the workplace: the Filipino and Indonesian caregiver trainees in Japan

This paper reflects on the findings of a study that examined the negotiation strategies employed by Filipino and Indonesian caregivers in addressing the challenges encountered as caregivers in Japan. A total of 20 caregivers have been interviewed, 11 of which were from Indonesia, and the remaining nine were from the Philippines. Results reveal that the challenges these caregivers experienced can be rooted to cultural and linguistic and status differentials. To manage these differences, caregivers employ negotiation strategies. Negotiating differences requires the presentation of the self in a likable manner to achieve relational goals. The cultural underpinnings of caregiving led Filipino and Indonesian caregivers view their work positively, thus, device self-negotiation strategies. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge regarding social work in the context of migration, and how economic disparities between host and sending countries recast caregiving work.