Work, affection, and moral economy among Albanian domestic workers in Greece

Abstract

The moral economy framework sheds light on how economic activities and workplace practices are influenced and structured by moral sentiments, norms, and social relations. The concept of the moral economy is particularly applicable to domestic laboring spheres, where employee-employer exchanges and relations are not merely contractual, but are embedded in moral and cultural values. This article builds on moral economy theory to analyze informal relations and workplace practices among 19 Albanian domestic workers in Greece and their employers. The study reveals how social and economic relations are constructed and shaped through the emotional and intimate nature of domestic work, as well as through moral/ethical sentiments, norms, and behaviors. The everyday working practices and emotional attachments between the employers and the employees seemed to reproduce, construct, and rebuild home-like settings, kin relations, and feelings. While such emotional affection impacted some women positively, other women considered it a burden because of their inability to claim their rights.