The authors examine the feasibility of trade unionism for migrant care workers, based on a recent organizing drive in Israel. Distinguishing between trade unions and other civil society organizations, they re-examine the concept of workers' collective action, looking at what constitutes a trade union and to what extent unions can address the specific concerns of migrant care workers. They conclude that, despite the numerous problems involved in organizing migrant care workers, and the vulnerabilities intrinsic to migration processes, gendered work and the occupation of care, trade unions play an important role in establishing industrial citizenship and forming political agency. © International Labour Organization 2014.

Migrant worker Care worker Trade union role Workers rights Labour relations Israel Working conditions

occupation working conditions legal rights trade union Israel civil society labor relations citizenship migrant worker