This essay begins with a discussion of the global economy and an overview of the role of gender in the international division of labor. I then explore the working conditions of Sri Lanka's transnational domestic servants, in the context of labor dynamics in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. Turning to the situation in the sending country, I consider activities undertaken by Sri Lankan NGOs, Labor unions, and state institutions in support of migrant workers. To understand the transnational factors that constrain both labor and government in their activities and effectiveness, I compare labor-organizing climates in the GCC, Asia, and the European Union (EU). I then compare migration patterns in Sri Lanka and the Philippines to identify factors that promote and inhibit the support of migrant laborers. I conclude with a discussion of the challenges and obstacles faced by both labor and state actors in protecting transnational domestic workers in the global economy.