International Migration and Development: Myths and Facts

Abstract

International migration has emerged as a priority issue on the global agenda in the last two decades, especially in the context of its positive role for economic development. There is however, still considerable controversy and stereotyping on migration and migrants. Politicians, anti-immigration lobbyists and the media in Western countries propagate a number of unfounded myths about migration. It is claimed that there is massive migration from the South to the North in recent times. Increasing migration under irregular situations is believed to result in security threats demanding stringent border controls at destinations. Another longstanding myth is that migrants steal jobs from natives, and that some are free riders attracted by welfare benefits in developed economies such as the UK. The presentation challenges these common myths and at the same time, highlights some facts which need greater attention in informed debates. Low skilled migration holds the best potential for development benefits, but limited avenues for their legal migration and widespread abuse and exploitation of such workers erode the potential benefits of migration. Moreover, migration alone cannot address structural problems of development, poverty and inequality in developing countries. It needs to be recognized that existing international normative instruments provide a solid foundation for governance of migration, and protection of migrant workers at global, regional and national levels. The presentation also draws some lessons for Sri Lanka based on the analysis. It concludes by reiterating the need for rights based approaches to governance of international migration placing migrants and their rights at the centre of such efforts by the international community.