Filipino Voluntary Associations And Wellbeing In Saudi Arabia
Filipino Voluntary Associations And Wellbeing In Saudi Arabia

Author(s): Simeon S. Magliveras
Subject(s): Sociology, Migration Studies, Politics and Identity, Asylum, Refugees, Migration as Policy-fields
Published by: Transnational Press London
Keywords: Filipinos; Saudi Arabia; voluntary associations; mutual-air societies;
Summary/Abstract: This paper examines the role voluntary associations play in the wellbeing of transnational Filipinos in Saudi Arabia. Voluntary associations in much of the literature are envisioned as cooperating individuals which create groups with specific goal such as for the benefit of communities with specific needs and accesses them to limited resources. This is true for Filipinos working and living in Saudi Arabia. Voluntary associations give Filipinos access to social networks, essential resources, and sociality, and are there to assist people in need. However, many Filipino voluntary associations in Saudi appear to be highly factionalized as they compete with one another for limited resources. With the kingdom's serious commitment to the Vision 2030 and the resulting rapid social changes in Saudi society, the relationship of the state to these groups and these groups to one another is in flux. This paper will compare and contrast several voluntary associations within the rapidly changing social environment and examines why such functionality occurs. The paper examines if these voluntary associations fulfill their primary purpose in helping individuals in their communities or as a result of greater social structures and competition between groups, the Filipino community is very fragmented resulting in a weakened position of individuals and the community in Saudi as a whole which has consequences both for their lives in Saudi Arabia but also at home in the Philippines.

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