Introduction

‘Moldovan sex slaves rescued in raid on UK brothels’ (Tiraspol Times 2008); ‘Young Polish care worker murdered in cross fire in South London’ (Taylor (M) 2007); ‘Filipino maid held in virtual slavery in Saudi home in London’ (Taylor (R) 2007); ‘Ghanaian nurses lose out in NHS pay restructuring’ (Henry 2008).

Each headline constructs a particular identity for migrant women who undertake body work in the UK. The reasons why they have left their home countries, the conditions under which they have migrated, and the contexts in which they find themselves vary considerably. However they are all contributing to meeting the demand in the UK for services that are associated with aspects of social reproduction. These services are predominantly, although not exclusively, undertaken by women. In contrast to the production and consumption of commodities such as FFV discussed in the previous chapter, these forms of services require proximity and, in many instances, an intimate relationship between the provider and recipient consumer.