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What is Labour Migration? (Definition, Types, and Global Issues & Challenges)

Labour migration is a global phenomenon that involves the movement of people across borders in search of employment and improved livelihoods. Labour migration, also known as workforce migration, refers to the movement of people from one region or country to another for employment. Labour migration can be temporary or permanent involving individuals or groups seeking better economic opportunities like higher pay, improved working conditions, or job availability. This migration can occur within a country (internal migration) or between different countries (international migration).

Individuals may migrate to regions or countries where there are more employment opportunities and higher wages than in their home place or home country. Some people may migrate in search of jobs that offer improved working conditions, occupational safety, and job security. High levels of unemployment in one region or country can lead people to migrate in search of work opportunities elsewhere. Skilled professionals and workers may migrate to countries that require their expertise, often due to demand in specific industries or sectors. Similarly, people may migrate to join family members who have already moved to another region or country for work or other reasons.

Generally, labour migration occurs from one country to another country for better employment opportunities. Individuals who are involved in the migration are called migrant workers. Migrant workers greatly contribute to their origin country through remittance and the skills acquired during migration to their destination country. Migrant workers also contribute to the growth and development of their destination country.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) differentiates economic migrants from labour migrants and defines several subgroups of migrant workers, including business travelers, contract migrant workers, highly skilled migrant workers, established migrant workers, immigrating investors, seasonal migrant workers, project-tied workers, and temporary migrant workers. According to IOM, ”Labour migrants are those who move for employment.” Additionally, “Economic migrants” form a potentially broader group that includes people entering a state to perform economic activities, such as investors or business travelers, but can be understood also in a narrower sense similar to the category of “labour migrants” (IOM).

A “migrant worker” is defined in the International Labour Organization (ILO) instruments as a person who migrates from one country to another (or who has migrated from one country to another) intending to be employed other than on his account, and includes any person regularly admitted as a migrant for employment. According to the ILO, there were nearly to 169 million migrant workers globally in 2019 (ILO, 2021). Among them worldwide in 2019, 70 million or approximately 41.5 percent were female. Likewise, the United Nations Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families defines a migrant worker as a person who is to be engaged or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a state in which he or she is not a citizen. The United Nations Population Division defines irregular migrants (or undocumented migrants) as individuals who enter a country often in search of employment without the required documents or permits, or who overstay the authorized length of stay in the country.

Furthermore, the United Nations Statistics Division (UN SD) also provides a statistical definition of a foreign migrant worker that is; “Foreigners admitted by the receiving State for the specific purpose of exercising an economic activity remunerated from within the receiving country. Their length of stay is usually restricted as is the type of employment they can hold. Their dependents, if admitted, are also included in this category.” (UN SD, 2017).

Types of Labour Migration:

Labour migration is the movement of people to get employed or involved in income-generating activities. There are influencing matters including better earning opportunities, remittances, standard of living, and skill attractiveness. The term “economic migrant” is sometimes used as an equivalent to the term labor migrant or migrant worker. Migrant workers are casual and unskilled workers who move about systematically from one region to another offering their services on a temporary, usually seasonal, basis. Generally, there are four types of labour migration which are the following.

Skilled Migration:

The success of labour migration is determined by the skill level of migrant workers. The highly-skilled migrant workers become more successful than the low-skilled migrant workers. This type of migration involves individuals with specific skills, qualifications, or expertise moving to another country for work in professions such as healthcare, engineering, IT, etc.

Low-Skilled or Unskilled Migration:

Discussing the labour migration, skill is an indispensable thing that must be attached to the migrant workers. Skill sometimes can thrive to make decisions to be a migrant worker. In unskilled migration, individuals work in jobs that do not require advanced qualifications or specialized skills, often in sectors such as agriculture, construction, or domestic work. The level of academic qualification is not required for low-skilled migration while specific education is required for skilled migration.

III. Seasonal or Temporary Migration:

Many countries of origin and destination have promoted various schemes and programs for temporary and seasonal labour migration, to deal with migrant workers who have plan to get involved in employment and then return to their country of origin. The work of seasonal migrant workers depends on seasonal conditions and is often performed only during a part of the year. This type of migration also includes a circular migration which is a form of migration in which people repeatedly move back and forth between two or more countries. In seasonal or temporary migration, migrant workers move temporarily for a specific period, often to meet seasonal labor demands in industries like agriculture or tourism.

Irregular Migration:

Irregular migration can be known as an illegal, undocumented, non-documented, and unauthorized migration that has different connotations in national policy debates. It is entry, stay, or work in a country destination country without the necessary authorization or documents required under immigration regulations. Likewise, it is the irregularity of administrative requirement to cross an international border without a valid passport or travel document to leave the origin country. However, there is a tendency to restrict the use of the term to cases of smuggling migrants and trafficking in human beings. In simple terms, this involves individuals migrating without proper authorization or legal status, often due to economic hardship, lack of opportunities, or conflict in their home countries.

Global Issues and Challenges of Labour Migration

Labour migration, the movement of people from one place to another for employment, presents several challenges and issues that affect both the sending and receiving countries as well as the migrants themselves. It requires international cooperation, comprehensive immigration policies, social integration programs, and efforts to protect the rights of migrant workers to address these challenges. Also, there is a high chance of creating economic opportunities, and improving living conditions in sending countries can help mitigate the need for mass migration. Here are some of the key challenges and issues associated with labour migration.

Exploitation and Vulnerability: Migrant workers, especially those without legal status, are vulnerable to exploitation, low wages, poor working conditions, and lack of legal protections. This can lead to situations of modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Exploitative practices can lead to a cycle of poverty and vulnerability for migrant workers and their families.
Social Integration: Migrants often face social integration challenges in host countries. Cultural differences, language barriers, and discrimination can create social divides, making it difficult for migrants to fully participate in the host society. Lack of social integration hampers the well-being of migrants and can lead to social unrest and conflicts.
Brain Drain: Sending or origin countries often face a “brain drain” as skilled workers emigrate for better opportunities abroad. This can lead to a shortage of skilled professionals in key sectors such as healthcare and education in the home country. Skilled professionals migrating to other countries can lead to a loss of talent and expertise in the home country, hindering local development. A lack of skilled professionals may impede economic development and the quality of essential services in countries of origin.
Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery: Migrants, especially irregular migrants, are at risk of falling victim to human trafficking and forced labor, facing severe exploitation and abuse. Migrants, particularly undocumented ones, are susceptible to human trafficking and forced labor, leading to situations of modern slavery. Victims suffer physical and emotional abuse, and traffickers profit from their exploitation.
Legal and Policy Issues: Inconsistent immigration policies and lack of legal protections for migrant workers can lead to legal challenges and difficulties in accessing justice. Navigating complex immigration laws and policies in sending and receiving countries can be challenging for migrants. There are lack of international coordination and inconsistent policies between countries can complicate the management of migration flows. As a result, inadequate policies can lead to irregular migration, exploitation, and legal challenges for migrants.
Family Separation: Labour migration often leads to family separation, impacting family dynamics and social relationships. Migrant workers often leave their families behind, leading to emotional stress and family disintegration. Children growing up without one or both parents face unique challenges related to identity and family structure.
Healthcare and Public Services: Access to healthcare and other public services can be limited for migrants, especially those without legal documentation. This lack of access can lead to public health issues and increased vulnerability to diseases. Labor migration can contribute to the spread of diseases, including pandemics like COVID-19, due to the movement of people across borders. Public health risks arise, necessitating coordinated international responses to mitigate the spread of diseases.
Economic Dependency: While remittances sent by migrants to their home countries can boost the economy, there is a risk of economic dependency. Many families in developing countries rely heavily on remittances sent by migrant workers, creating economic dependency on foreign income. While remittances can alleviate poverty, dependency on them can hinder local economic development efforts.
Climate Change Displacement: With the increasing impact of climate change, there is a growing concern about environmentally induced migration. Communities forced to relocate due to climate-related disasters face additional challenges in finding employment and rebuilding their lives. Climate change-induced environmental challenges, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events, force people to migrate, leading to climate refugees. Migration due to environmental factors requires global efforts to address climate change and support affected communities.
Social Impact on Communities: The influx of migrant workers can strain local communities and infrastructure, leading to increased competition for jobs, housing, and resources. This can create tension between migrants and the local population.
Human Rights Violations: Migrants, particularly undocumented ones, are at risk of human rights violations, including detention, deportation, and lack of legal representation. They might also face violence and abuse during their journey or in detention centers.
Legal Status and Access to Justice: Undocumented migrants often lack legal protections and access to justice, making them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Migrants’ inability to assert their rights undermines their well-being and hampers efforts to combat exploitation.

Conclusion:

Labour migration, known as workforce migration, refers to the movement of people from one region or country to another for employment. Labour migration can be temporary or permanent involving individuals or groups seeking better economic opportunities like higher pay, improved working conditions, or job availability. Effective management of labour migration requires comprehensive policies that protect the rights of migrant workers, promote social integration, and address the needs of both sending and receiving countries. International cooperation and adherence to human rights standards are essential to ensuring the well-being of migrant workers and their contributions to both origin and destination countries.

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