Femintegra – Labor Trajectories and Occupational Segmentation among Romanian Women in Spain: An Intersectional Analysis

Ioana Marin; Ana Sales Ten

doi:10.25167/fj.5979

Published: 2026-09-02

Vol. 3 (2026)

Femintegra – Labor Trajectories and Occupational Segmentation among Romanian Women in Spain: An Intersectional Analysis

Ioana Marin , Prof Ana Sales Ten

FORTHEM Journal

Section: Research papers

https://doi.org/10.25167/fj.5979

Abstract

This article examines the labor market integration of Romanian women in Spain through an analysis of their labor trajectories in four provinces with distinct economic and migratory contexts: Barcelona, Lleida, Valencia, and Castellón. Adopting an intersectional and gender-sensitive perspective, the study explores how structural labor market conditions, institutional frameworks, and individual strategies interact over time to shape employment opportunities, stability, and mobility.

The research follows a mixed-methods design combining quantitative data from the Spanish Social Security system and the National Statistics Institute with qualitative material drawn from 29 in-depth interviews, life stories, participant observation, and elements of digital ethnography. Qualitative data were analyzed through an interpretive thematic approach that reconstructs labor trajectories as temporally structured processes shaped by migration timing, family responsibilities, and regional labor demand.

The findings reveal persistent occupational segmentation and deskilling, with Romanian women strongly concentrated in domestic work, care services, hospitality, and seasonal agriculture—sectors characterized by low wages and limited opportunities for upward mobility. At the same time, trajectories vary significantly according to educational capital, migration cohort, and family obligations. The analysis identifies a typology of migratory projects that illustrates the heterogeneity of women’s strategies, ranging from survival-oriented trajectories to entrepreneurial and professional reorientation pathways. Despite structural constraints, Romanian women display significant agency through the mobilization of community networks, digital platforms, and self-employment initiatives.

By integrating administrative labor data with qualitative trajectory analysis, the article contributes to research on gendered labor migration in Southern Europe and highlights the paradox between formal European mobility rights and persistent labor market marginalization. The findings offer insights for policy debates on qualification recognition, labor rights enforcement, and inclusive labor market integration for EU migrant workers.

Keywords:

Romanian migrant women, Labor trajectories, Labor market segmentation, Gendered labor markets

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Marin, I., & Sales Ten, A. (2026). Femintegra – Labor Trajectories and Occupational Segmentation among Romanian Women in Spain: An Intersectional Analysis. FORTHEM Journal, 3. https://doi.org/10.25167/fj.5979

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Ioana Marin

ioana.marin2000@gmail.com

Affiliation:

University of Valencia Spain