Circular migration is a type of migration pattern where people move back and forth between two places. The main reason for this movement is job availability.
- This is different from permanent or temporary migration, where people move for a long term or for the duration of a contract.
- In circular migration, people move only for a short time when there is work.
- It’s a common practice among low-income groups.
- These groups often move to take up jobs that are available only for certain seasons in different places including foreign countries, cities, or regions.
How To Define Circular Migration
- Phillipe Fargues provides a clear definition of circular migration:
- It involves temporary living in the destination country.
- Multiple entries into the destination country should be possible.
- Freedom to move between the home country and the destination country is a must.
- The migrant should have the legal right to stay in the destination country.
- The protection of migrants’ rights is vital.
- A robust demand for temporary labor in the destination country is desirable.
- The concept can be confusing. One might ask, “How often must a migrant move to be considered a circular migrant?”
- The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Task Force clarifies this in its report on circular migration. It suggests that a person is a circular migrant if they’ve made at least ‘two loops’ between two countries, meaning they’ve travelled at least twice between their home and destination countries.
- Specifically, if your home country is your mainstay, but you routinely move between two countries for economic opportunities like jobs or business, you are a circular migrant.
How Migration Poses Challenges To Policy Making
- Migration is a significant worldwide topic due to the increasing movement of people.
- Many individuals from the Global South move to Western countries, seeking improved job prospects and living standards.
- This movement leads to brain drain in their home countries as skilled workers leave.
- It also increases competition for locals in the destination countries.
- Within countries, people often move from rural to urban areas.
- This rural-urban migration can cause infrastructure strain in cities and slow down agricultural growth in rural areas.
- Consequently, all forms of migration pose challenges to policy making.
Circular Migration Offers A Balanced Approach
- Circular migration offers a balanced approach. It takes into account the needs of both the sending and receiving countries.
- For the country of origin, benefits come in the form of remittances from migrants. These remittances can significantly improve the domestic economy.
- The influx of foreign capital due to remittances can lead to infrastructure development, increased job opportunities, and improved living standards.
- On the downside, large-scale migration can result in brain drain. This happens when the most talented individuals leave their home country to contribute their intellect and innovation to the advancement of another country.
- Host countries, especially Western ones, have a lower population and higher access to education.
- This has led to a gap in low-income, low-skill jobs, which immigrants have been able to fill.
- However, the arrival of these immigrants has caused various issues.
- There are feelings of distress and cultural clashes among the local population due to this influx.
- As a result, many are now advocating for limits or even a complete halt to immigration.
- Circular migration is a strategic approach that tackles these challenges head-on.
- It seeks to mitigate the adverse effects of brain drain by championing the concept of “brain circulation.” This enables individuals to leverage their skills in both their home and host countries, all while contributing through remittances.
- Circular migration offers solutions to the governments of destination countries as it ensures that migrants will eventually return to their original areas.
- This model allows countries to benefit from the labour of migrants for vital tasks without adding permanently to the population.
Circular Migration Within India
- In India, internal migration, referring to migration within a country or state, has traditionally followed a circular pattern.
- Many people are migrating from rural areas to urban cities. The reason behind this is the increase in job opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and services.
- The construction sector, in particular, saw a significant increase in employment, especially for rural males, between 2004-05 and 2011-2012.
- This migration trend has resulted in decreasing rural populations and economies. In contrast, urban areas are growing, but they struggle with infrastructure issues due to the sudden influx of people.
- After India liberalised its economy, development has been uneven. This has led to high levels of migration between states.
- States like West Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar are among those with the highest out-migration rates.
- At first, most migrants moved to Delhi. However, in recent times, migration to southern states has also increased.
Positive Outcomes Of Circular Migration In India
- Rural migrants in India often work in agriculture in their home states. When they migrate, they usually take up low-skilled jobs.
- Circular migration has several positive impacts:
- Migrants can earn more in their destination states compared to their home states.
- The income sent back home by migrants can improve the well-being of their households.
- The migration process is often facilitated by easy mobility.
- According to certain reports, when men migrate, women often experience a significant increase in their authority and decision-making power within the family.
The Plight Of Circular Migrants: Exploitation And Unfreedoms
- Rural circular migrants, particularly those moving to southern states, face a significant language barrier. This often leaves them at the mercy of middlemen or brokers.
- Migrants are compelled to toil in unsanitary and hazardous conditions, frequently lacking adequate protective equipment.
- This group regularly experiences exploitation and a lack of basic rights in the host states.
- Local wage groups and unions are often hostile towards these migrants, viewing them as job stealers due to their willingness to work for lower wages.
- The study describes this type of migration as merely subsistence-level. Migrants barely manage to support themselves and their families, with no potential for asset growth or savings.
- The jobs available to these migrants are typically seasonal and irregular, leading to a high level of job insecurity.
- In instances where jobs are scarce in the host states, migrants may have to return home or search for work in other urban centres.
- The vulnerability of these jobs became apparent amidst the 2020 pandemic. When lockdown measures were announced, many migrants began the long walk back to their hometowns.
Towards A Solution: The Urgent Need For State Policy And Integration Efforts
- States should urgently create policies to better understand circular migration.
- Some states, like Kerala, have made progress by introducing health insurance for migrant workers (Awaz Health Scheme).
- However, more needs to be done to protect migrant workers’ rights.
- The insecure conditions faced by these workers must be addressed.
- Greater efforts are required to integrate migrant workers into their new states.
Note: This editorial analysis is based on the article “Circular migration: looking at both sides of the debate” published in The Hindu, on October 4, 2023.