What is a key characteristic of migrant domestic workers?

Migrant domestic workers are primarily defined by their employment within households. This characteristic highlights that they are typically engaged in domestic tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and caregiving in private residences, which distinguishes them from other types of migrant workers who may be employed in construction, agriculture, or other industries.

This employment structure often leads to unique challenges, including vulnerability to exploitation and limited labor rights, as their work is done outside formal labor markets. Understanding that their role is tied directly to domestic environments is crucial in discussing issues related to labor rights, migration policies, and social dynamics in urban settings.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the defining attributes of migrant domestic workers. For instance, many of these workers do not acquire permanent residency status in their host countries, their social status is often not high due to economic and cultural factors, and proficiency in the local language varies widely among individuals and is not a defining characteristic of the group as a whole.