Migrant women in the Irish services sector: an intersectional analysis of gendered and racialised experiences

In a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) labour market, the experiences of migrant women of colour in the Irish services sector represent an important societal challenge. While gendered labour market inequalities are well documented, intersecting effects of race, ethnicity, religion, and region, remain under-considered, particularly in contexts of precarity and societal change. Our study addresses this gap by examining the experiences of eighteen migrant women of colour, alongside employers’ perspectives, using semi-structured interviews. The women’s experiences revealed two overarching themes: Negotiating Work, Identity and Belonging: The Everyday Balancing Act, and Always on Display: Judgement and Stereotypes at Work, while employers’ insights revealed Structures, Policies, Social, and Cultural Integration as constraints in advancing inclusion. Drawing on Crenshaw’s intersectionality theory, we show how inequalities are co-constructed through organisational dynamics alongside societal disruptions. This research contributes to HRM by highlighting a largely overlooked workforce, emphasising the importance of intersectional analysis, and combining employee and employer perspectives to reveal tensions between individual needs and organisational realities. We highlight the need to futureproof HRM through fostering inclusive cultures which prioritise belonging and diversity, thereby, linking organisational change to broader societal challenges and labour market dynamics.