Domestic sector, mobility and segregation of immigrant workers: the case of Italy

Livia Elisa Ortensi, Università degli Studi di Milano - Bicocca
Elisa Barbiano di Belgiojoso, Università degli Studi di Milano - Bicocca

This paper analyses the working trajectories of foreign-born women who entered the Italian labour market as domestic workers. Our results show low exit rates from the domestic sector. However, working experience in the host country, even if unskilled, has a positive effect on the transition, whereas professional and educational training in the country of origin have no effect, and ethnic networks limit the access to other occupations. The aim of the women’s migration project is strongly associated with occupational mobility. Finally, we find empirical evidence of the existence of a “U-shaped” pattern in occupational mobility for this subpopulation of workers