Navigating Home in Migration: Yi Migrant Workers and Their Homemaking Experiences in Shenzhen Factories

This article investigates the experiences of Yi migrant workers in Shenzhen factories through a conceptual framework that focuses on three dimensions of home in migration. Examining industrial dormitories, the foreman system, and governmental attention, it uncovers the intricate ways migrants negotiate their sense of belonging. The spatial dimension is evident in dormitories offering a semblance of home while reflecting broader societal and economic influences. The relational aspect emerges through the evolution of the foreman system, highlighting the interplay between traditional social bonds and modern labour demands. The sensorial dimension becomes apparent in the limited recognition migrants receive despite their contributions. This study underscores the multifaceted nature of migrant experiences as well as the need for comprehensive understandings of home that encompass spatial, relational, and sensorial elements within the dynamic context of migration.