A study by the Migration Policy Institute has shown that the recession had direct impact on global migration. The number of people traveling abroad for work opportunities has been decreasing while majority of immigrants have chosen to remain

On the whole, the levels of remittances from migrants to their families back home has also reduced significantly.

For example, the number of Mexicans moving to the United States reduced by 40%. While the numbers of Romanians and Bulgarians moving to Spain have fallen by 60%.

 Migrant vulnerability and resilience

Migrant workers are more likely to loose their jobs than nationals since majority of migrants find jobs in factories which have been badly hit by the recession. This explains why many are not able to send money home to help their families who depend on them often for survival.

For instance, in Turkey remittances declined by 43%. The fall in remittances by 37% will impact Moldova severely as remittances represent a third of the country’s GDP.

 

However,  a few countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan have managed to record increases in remittances. One way of trying to understand this is that most migrants from Asia especially India and Bangladesh are not usually involved in factory jobs but rather find jobs with small businesses owned by their compatriots such as restaurants, groceries shops and real estates.

Journey of no return?

Despite the huge challenges many migrants face abroad especially at this period, they are unable to return home because for many of them, the economic conditions back home are no better.

For those who want to go back home but have no legal status are afraid they will not be able to return in future and so choose to stay put.

Again, there are mixed trends. Majority of migrants from Central and Eastern Europe in the UK and Ireland have returned home, where economic conditions have not been much affected by the recession. On the other hand, the decision to return home has been made easily because they can legally return to the UK anytime they want because of their status as European Union nationals.

Migration Protectionism?

Just as countries have a tendency to adopt trade protectionism policies to save their economies from being overrun by other economies, so is the recession forcing countries to adopt  “employment protectionisms” to keep opportunities for their own.

Many countries in Europe and Asia (including Australia, Russia, Malaysia) have reduced the numbers of work permits for non-citizens. Others are giving rewards such as one-way-ticket and cash to  encourage migrants to return to their home countries.

 Key conclusions

The key points of the research are worth noting by governments and technocrats:

  • Migrant workers are more vulnerable during an economic recession: they risk losing their jobs and their families back home bear the brunt as there is less financial help
  • Many migrants decide to stay in the storms hoping for better times ahead – usually those whohave no legal status
  • Migration is an component of the global economy
  • Just as investment moves across borders in search of the best opportunities, so do people
  • People (and birds) increasingly move towards where opportunities abound

When economy recovers, people will be on the move once again. Migration is simply a natural Phenomenon and should be viewed positively.

  • Share/Bookmark