Labour migration: a socio-cultural factor for social transformation in Banke district, Nepal

Abstract

This study deals with labour migration as a sociocultural factor to transform society and improve human livelihoods. It explores how social transformation is reshaping social systems, social identities, social patterns and practices. Labour migration has been a top choice and household strategy for improving living standards and social status. This study responds to how labour migration is affecting local ethnic communities, in particular, Tharu communities, and how the process of social transformation is restructuring social practices, social identities, social values and norms. This study primarily uses qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of the social transformation restructuring social, cultural and political aspects in the Tharu community. It approaches social transformation to examine the later social structures and human mobilities. The findings clearly show the processes of social transformation reforming the residents’ living standards through the receipts of remittances and technological goods and services. Social identities are also reformed with a realisation of social integration. The socioeconomic status of the migrants’ families has significantly improved. In addition, the existing social practices namely Kamaiyas (Bonded Labourers) and Sukumbasi (Slums) are removed from the Tharu communities. This study can contribute to the government and non-government-led development programs and projects as well as implement new policies and strategies to address migration-related issues in contemporary societies of Nepal and indeed in other regions of the world.