June 11, 2021
Introduction
Migration commonly refers to the movement of people, basically relocating of people within and across the border. Factors specially push and pull factors determine why people are migrating. Pull factors attract people whereas push factors force people to move (World Economic Forum, 2017).Migration is mainly a south-north phenomenon, however south-south migration is large now (Sharma, Saraswati, Das & Sarna, 2015). South Asia is the core migrant destination and the region consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Among these countries, India is dominating in terms of landmass, population and gross domestic products (Binod Khadria, 2005). Also,India is much in demand as destination by migrants as it shares a common border except Afghanistan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Spectrum in South Asia
In South Asian conditions, migration is an important livelihood strategy. Wage differences across the country are a core point. Almost all the migration is happening because of the development gap across the region (Sharma et al., 2015). People choose a country as a destination where vast opportunities and a secure livelihood is available. The main pull factors are economic opportunity, affordable health service, educational opportunity and social influence. On the other hand, the push factors are lack of employment, discrimination and poor socioeconomic condition (World Economic Forum, 2017; Sharma et al., 2015). The dominating migration trends in the South Asian region are mainly temporary migration, student migration, economic betterment and remittance (Sharma et al., 2015; Binod Khadria, 2005).
Afghanistan
The main push factors for migration are lack of decent job opportunity, wage disparity, poverty, high population growth, political instability, lack of security and drought.
People migrate to seek employment for socio-economic and security conditions. Wage disparity is also considered for labor migrants among surrounding countries. Due to conflict and political instability people migrate to the neighboring country mainly Iran and Pakistan. Migration between these regions is temporary and cyclic in nature and also prompted by high wage and stability. Instability, destruction of infrastructure, industry and houses are driving the migration. Moreover, drought also forces people to migrate in search of livelihood. Many migrants came back to seek seasonal work during harvesting periods. Migrant workers from other countries are working in the construction industry. Labor migrants from Pakistan and Nepal are working in Afghanistan (ESCAP, 2012).
Maldives
The main pull factors are demand for workers, tourism, and high wages. On the other hand, environmental concerns such as climate change and disaster are the main push factors.
People migrate internally to seek education and/or employment and internationally labor force to support the tourism and construction sector. Out-migration of this country is very low. Education is the only reason behind out-migration and people migrate abroad for tertiary education. Maldives has become a destination point for significant numbers of migrants from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh due to its high wages and employment opportunities. Construction, community service and tourism are the main job opportunities for these migrants (ESCAP, 2012).
Nepal
The main push factors for migration are poverty, unemployment, conflict and natural resources.
The migration flow is witnessed mainly from Nepal to India due to free border crossing without having visa and passport. Political instability and lack of employment is a major driver of out-migration. Demand for the labor market is also a core driver for out-migration and a large-scale people migrate overseas due to these. Temporal and permanent labor migration occurs from Nepal to India and Malaysia. They migrated to India and engaged in agricultural work. Population of Nepal consists of foreign-born citizens. Therefore, people from different countries like India, Bhutan, Pakistan and China migrate to Nepal indicating networking, marriage, work, business and study as a reason for staying in Nepal (Sharma et al., 2015; ESCAP, 2012).
Sri Lanka
The major push factors for migration are civil war, unemployment and underemployment, lack of access to resources.
Only country in South Asia that has net out-migration. Both skilled and low-skilled people pushed for migration due to long civil war, conflict, lack of employment, low per capita income, high inflation and lack of access to resources. These migrants increase significantly. However, Sri Lanka becomes a destination point for tourism and education but on a very small scale. Only foreign tourists and students come and stay for a short period of time in Sri Lanka (ESCAP, 2012).
Bhutan
The main pull factors for migration are economic activities, national security.
Basically, Bhutan is a migrant receiving country. Out-migration is minimal but internal (rural-urban) migration is significant. Progressive growth in the education system and economy and experiencing growth in hydropower and construction sectors that decrease dependency on agriculture. Internal labor shortage and high wages are pulling foreign workers in which most are from India. The out-migration of this country is minimal; mostly students are migrating to pursue tertiary education on merit-based scholarship. They migrate mostly in India as well as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UK and other parts of the world. Most of them return but some take advantage of job opportunities. Very few are seeking job opportunities and moved to India due to better economic prosperity. Mostly migration happens from Bhutan to India and India to Bhutan due to its free movement permission without visa and passport (Sharma et al., 2015; ESCAP, 2012).
India
The main pull factors are economic opportunity, better and affordable health service, educational opportunity and social influence and networking. Also lack of employment for high skilled people, discriminations are major push factors for migration.
India is prominent to be a net out-migration country where low skilled, high skilled also student migration occurs. Low skilled workers migrate to neighboring countries including the Middle East whereas highly skilled workers migrate to developed countries and sometimes settle there. Student migration is another phenomenon. Students tend to go abroad with student visas and become permanent residents after completing their study. Also, India has the largest in-migrant from neighboring countries based on foreign-born population. These populations are mainly from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal. Economic disparity is the major cause of migration from poorer countries to India. Social networking and linkage are also a reason. Large numbers of Nepal and Bangladesh migrants working in India. Irregular and undocumented migration also happens. Free movement and porous borders are one of the major causes of this irregular migration (Sharma et al., 2015; ESCAP, 2012).
Pakistan
Slow economic growth, high unemployment, inflation, security, instability, climate change and natural disaster are the main push factors that trigger internal and cross border migration.
Pattern of out-migration is basically short term and temporary. People who get an opportunity to migrate to a developed country especially in Europe or America are planning to stay and settle themselves there with their family. Low skilled laborers migrate to developing countries or neighboring regions to work temporarily. Temporary laborers from Pakistan seek to migrate in the Middle East region mainly. Wage disparity plays a critical role to migrate abroad. Majority migrant workers are working in constructed areas as they are low skilled labor. In terms of in-migration, a lot of refugees and displaced people from neighboring regions tend to migrate to Pakistan especially from Afghanistan. Due to conflict and political instability in Afghanistan, people fled and crossed the border and entered Pakistan. They also spread in urban areas to seek employment and worked as low skilled labor (ESCAP, 2012).
Bangladesh
The major push factor is the high rate of unemployment and low wages.
Out-migration occurs as temporary labor force migration. People seek to migrate especially to the Middle East region and also neighboring country India. Workers from Bangladesh seek employment and work as low skilled labor. People who lack basic education and have not got the opportunity to develop their skill tend to go abroad as a low skilled labor. This migration pattern is temporary as they are not allowed to stay as a permanent resident so that they have to return back to their origin. Majority of people choose to migrate to India because it is easier and cheaper than any other country and earns better. Fragile border and social linkage are playing a vital role to migrate India. Student migration also takes place to some extent. Students seek to migrate abroad for their higher study.
Bangladesh is leading in the race of labor sending countries due to its low-cost labor but some in-migration takes place from neighboring countries because of kinship and porous borders. A major in-migration occurs when people from Myanmar cross the border and enter Bangladesh. These refugees are known as Rohingya.
Remittances play a vital role in a country’s economy. Remittances indicate the pattern of out-migration. High remittance indicates high out-migration of that country. Majority of remittances come from low skilled laborers that are migrating abroad. It is an important contributor to the economy and combat unemployment, reduce poverty, and improve their livelihood and wealth (Sharma et al., 2015; ESCAP, 2012).
Conclusion
Some people choose migration willingly where most people choose against their will. They are bound to move due to their economic, socio-political condition. A significant number of people are forcefully moved because of natural calamities. All the factors and types of migration play a crucial role in the movement of people.
References
- World Economic Forum. 2017. Migration and Its Impact on Cities.
- Sharma V, Saraswati L R, Das S, Sarna A. 2005. Migration in South Asia: A Review. Population Council, New Delhi, India.
- Khadria B. 2005. Migration in South and South-West Asia.
- ESCAP. 2012. Situation Report on International Migration in South and SouthWest Asia.
Syed Sajidur Rahman has completed B.Sc in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology from East West University, Bangladesh. He is holding a Post Graduate Diploma in Population, Public Health and Disaster Management. Currently pursuing his master’s degree in
Population, Reproductive Health, Gender and Development at East West University, Bangladesh. He has served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) as well as Research Assistant (RA) at East West University. Also served as a Facilitator at Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC). He has been awarded the Medha Lalon Scholarship (Dean’s List) for his academic excellence. His academic interests are in Migration, Demography, Climate change and Public health issues. He is fond of Research, Sports, Photography and Travel. Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jaj1601