The Intersections of Gender, Work, and Health: Migrant Beer Sellers in Southeast Asia

In this participatory research project, we focused on one group of female service workers, rural-to-urban migrants, who find work in the cities, towns, and beach resorts of Southeast Asia as beer sellers. Drawing on focus group discussions, surveys, and community conversations with migrant beer sellers working in diverse settings in Bangkok, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane, we found that limited work opportunities, as well as the desire to study, work, live in the city and provide financial support to their families, contributed to urban migration where work selling beer was more lucrative and more flexible than other forms of employment. Some worked solely on commission and tips, which encouraged co-drinking with clients. Although women enjoyed pleasing customers and feeling attractive while dressing up for work, workplaces were also regarded as unsafe with clients posing the greatest hazard. Physical and sexual abuse and harassment were rampant across countries and venues. Moreover, exposure to smoke, prolonged standing in high heels, repetitive motions, slippery floors, and poor lighting were among the other occupational health and safety complaints. A significant proportion of informants felt that their health deteriorated due to their work, which they attributed to the short- and long-term effects of alcohol and the stigmatized nature of beer selling as an occupation.