Secrets

I think of LA's attitude last Friday. She did not want to be recorded. She was very hesitant at first about being interviewed. It took about 30 minutes. She did not want to grant me access to her bosses. I asked if I could observe classes but she probably did not have any authority to let me do so. I think also of LD's general suspicious behaviour when I was at TQ's TC some weeks back. These women were perhaps once DWs themselves, and as such being suspicious of others, operating in the shadows are probably techniques of survival hard earned. I think of my dad's mom and how she coped with being at a disadvantage, being at the mercy of others, being at the mercy of men.

Subterfuge

What the respondents don't know won't hurt them. I think the PIS has been a handicap for me. It is scaring people off.

Steering the Interview

A bit of a challenge steering the interview. I realise I waste quite a bit of time letting respondents talk about what they want in the beginning. LS liked to talk about his political-economic conjectures. He seemed to like being seen as an expert and was more than eager to demonstrate his knowledge of the field. He frequently referred to his economist friends, the policymaking circles in which he moved. LdM and RC did no such thing. LdM was more amenable to being steered, although he did insist that we see his company's corporate powerpoint presentation. RC insisted that he did not deploy DWs. He was eager to establish himself as clean and a cut above the rest. He also brought up 'following the law' or 'rules and regulations' more than once.


All my respondents so far want to talk about rules and regulations. Quite a challenge to steer them away from that and to just talk about the nitty-gritty of recruitment. I have to keep it close to procedures and micropolitics of the everyday. Have to steer clear of the state for now.

More Strategy

Just thought of something I might try. I am having some difficulty recruiting TCs. What if I go through the TESDA route? Go through TESDA first and then get referrals. Ask TESDA who their top and trusted performers are.

Strategy

Thought of a non-threatening way to enroll participants. Citing their having been awarded by the POEA as the reason I approached them.

Intentions

My intentions are always suspect, especially given the sensitivity of the plight of domestic workers. I should make a conscious effort of being pro-recruiter. Otherwise I will not gain access.

Scared of the PIS?

Some of my enrollees from December have not replied to my re-contact. I am wondering whether the official-sounding PIS scared them? Or is it the over-long introductory message? I should probably make it shorter and more direct-to-the-point. Same goes for the Bahasa version.

The lone TC also seems to be jittery. I texted both the engineer and his aunt yesterday. No reply.