The LCP, neoliberalism, race and globalization

The implementation of the Live in Caregiver program (LCP) is indicative of the process of globalization and neoliberal ideologies in the context of a gendered and radicalized global hierarchy. The unequal proportion of migrant women of colour filling caregiving positions through the LCP can be explained by the presence of a global hierarchy that is constructed by the inventions of race and gender. This hierarchy has been achieved through a social classification of the population in terms of race and gender that creates power relations in biological terms, placing whites (colonizers) above brown (colonized) and men above women. Through the influence of capitalism these power relations has contributed to a division of labor that is racialized, gendered, and geographically differentiated. This is evident in the LCP, where many of the participants are women originating from income poor countries migrating to an income rich country (Canada) to fill caregiving jobs which are unvalued and underpaid within the society. Further, these ideologies contribute to the structural relationship of the LCP that enables the global exploitation of women’s labor who are place lower on the global hierarchy.

Neoliberal ideologies and the promotion of a free market also has influenced caregiving solutions within Canada as seen in the implementation of the LCP. These solutions to the care deficit have focused on the privatization of caregiving, allowing certain middle to upper class women the freedom to pursue their own careers at the cost of other less privileged women. In addition, the effects of a globalized free market and capitalism outside of the global north has created changes within work environments and cutting of social funding to things like health care and child care. This has made it hard for individuals to provide for their families, and explains why individuals may decide to enter into programs like the LCP. Further, the LCP is marketed in these countries as an idealized and over simplified way that claims participants will only have to work for two years then they will be eligible for permanent residency and be able to sponsor their families. The reality of this is not as ideal as it seems, as many caregivers face various inequalities and unfair treatment within their employment, and may have trouble achieving permanent residency, and reuniting with their families.