The Philippine women of Canada’s live-in caregiver program: ethical issues and perspectives

The Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) exists under Canada’s immigration policies. Working as live-in caregivers for two years gives individuals the opportunity to apply for permanent residency. The proportion of LCP workers has been overrepresented by Filipinas. By 2000, Filipinas made up 87 percent of all LCP caregivers. Using an ethics lens, this paper explores issues surrounding Filipina caregivers in the LCP. Joan Tronto’s (1993) work on ‘moral boundaries’ helps examine how existing societal boundaries perpetuate some of the issues negatively affecting Filipina caregivers. Kant’s Categorical Imperative and Michael Burawoy’s (1990) typology of labour lead discussions around the choice and consent of Filipinas in entering and remaining in the LCP. Young’s (2006) ‘structural processes’ was employed to direct attention to socially structured injustices experienced by Filipinas. This paper concludes with the moral duties and obligations of the various actors involved and recommends changes to relevant aspects of the LCP.