Emergence of Entrepreneurship among Filipino Migrants in Paris

This article documents the emergence of self-employment among Filipino migrants in Paris, a pattern of economic incorporation that departs from the predominance of Filipinos in the domestic work sector in Western Europe. After presenting the characteristics of Filipino migration to France, the article describes the embeddedness of Filipino entrepreneurship in different kinds of networks that structure the Filipino population. Findings suggest that Filipino entrepreneurship is part of overlapping networks based not only upon national origin, but also on regional belongings, class, religion and sexual orientation. Conflicts often characterize the relationship between these networks. Other than relying on Filipino networks, success in self-employment also requires strong ties to other groups, as well as transnational connections. Factors affecting the future prospects of self-employment are also discussed.