International Migration Research Articles

‘It's truly exploitative’: Labour control and exploitation in domestic work in Mexico

This article analyses the complex interplay between control and exploitation in domestic work. Applying a labour exploitation continuum framework informed by an intersectional lens, the study draws on the work experiences of 15 Mexican domestic workers through five key dimensions of domestic work: workload and working hours; employment (in)security; compensation and benefits; occupational health and safety; and discrimination, violence and harassment. The article contributes to a broader understanding of the control-exploitation continuum, identifying a range of everyday exploitative practices such as low pay and long hours to extreme exploitation, such as sexual violence. Furthermore, control and exploitation vary across intersecting identities and are felt more acutely by some (more) marginalised identities. This article makes a dual contribution by highlighting the spectrum of exploitation faced by domestic workers in the global South and the role of extreme control mechanisms in exploitation, while also challenging the dominant focus on international migrant workers when examining the dynamics of labour exploitation.

Rural areas as winners of COVID-19, digitalization and remote working? Empirical evidence from recent internal migration in Germany

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic crises and increased inter-regional economic disparities. However, the catalyst effect that the pandemic has had on digitalization may change the traditional pattern of internal migration, in favour of rural areas. Using time-sensitive register data we explain changes in net migration rates of German districts from an economic geography perspective. We show that, since the beginning of the pandemic, rural regions benefited more from migration. In particular, younger and highly skilled individuals increasingly move to rural areas. This confirms that rural regions can benefit from increasing remote work, but these effects differ across region types and individual skill levels.

International migration and the advent of a new demographic era

AbstractThe paper explores whether international migration is linked to currently decreasing levels of fertility in high birth rates countries, thereby to the advent of a stage of population degrowth at the world's level. Methodology is in two steps. First, a global dataset is assembled comprising 13 variables for each country. For the country itself: emigrant stock, total fertility rate, girls' enrolment rate, women's labour force participation, global gender gap, and income per capita; for a fictitious average region of destination of migrants originating from this specific country, the last six variables. In the second step, links between origin and destination countries in terms of fertility levels and determinants are analysed using bivariate correlations. A remarkable fact emerges, namely national levels of fertility and their determinants vary quasi perfectly parallel at both ends of international migration corridors. Fertility at origin is not correlated to any phenomenon as much as to fertility, girls' school enrolment and gender equity at destination. Three complementary hypotheses explaining this apparently puzzling fact are discussed: transmission of norms by migrants; cultural similarities at both ends of migrant corridors; and congruency between the global diffusion of norms and the global migration of people. The conclusion highlights the original contribution of the paper, both to the demographic discipline (migration should also be dealt with as a remote determinant of fertility) and political debates on migration (erecting barriers to migration works against the preservation of earth).

Work engagement and burnout among Polish labour migrants.

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between work engagement, burnout and coworker support, social climate at work, work-language proficiency and post-migration job skill change, among international migrant workers. Polish versions of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Burnout Assessment Tool, and the second Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire were used for the measurement of the studied variables. All participants were recruited using announcements at Polish diaspora online forums and snowball sampling. The questionnaire was submitted to them in a form of an anonymous online survey. From 420 questionnaires filled in by the respondents, 411 were qualified for analysis. The results of a multiple regression analysis indicate that a positive perception of the social climate at work increases the scores of general work engagement (β = -0.22, p = 0.001), as well as all its subscales: dedication (β = -0.14, p = 0.002), vigor (β = -0.20, p = 0.001) and absorption (β = -0.22, p = 0.001). Support received from coworkers has a positive influence on the vigor dimension (β = -0.14, p = 0.002). Furthermore, work-language proficiency can be associated with more engagement F(1, 409) = 37.66, p = 0.000 and less burnout F(1, 409) = 11.68, p = 0.000 than limited work-language knowledge. In a similar manner, increased or similar job skill level compared to one's last employment in the sending country may be associated with better engagement F(2, 408) = 33.88, p = 0.000 and fewer symptoms of burnout F(1, 409) = 7.96, p = 0.005 than post-migration decrease of job skill. The perception of social climate at work and coworker support have shown to be positive predictors for particular dimensions of work engagement. Moreover, work language proficiency and job skill have been shown to associate with work engagement and burnout. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(4).

Co-creation of migrant health interventions in Portugal: Insights from the VO(I)CES project

Abstract Background International migration is increasing both globally and in Europe, highlighting the need for responsive interventions that cater to the diverse needs and strengths of migrants. Although genuine involvement of stakeholders in the design and implementation of interventions is vital to enhance their relevance, responsiveness, and ownership, co-created migrant health interventions remain limited. This study aims to address this gap by collaboratively developing health literacy interventions with meaningful involvement from migrants and professionals from both the social and health sectors. Methods As part of the VO(I)CES project, twelve idea-generation workshops were conducted in Portugal, applying the Ophelia (Optimising Health Literacy and Access) process, engaging over 70 stakeholders (migrants, social and healthcare professionals). To guide discussions, these workshops used case vignettes developed from 16 health literacy profiles that were identified in a previous study among 1,126 migrants. The discussions aimed at eliciting detailed insights into the potential actions that are responsive to migrants’ challenges. Results Several key interventions were identified by the stakeholders, including the enhancement of cultural and linguistic training for healthcare providers, the use of community health agents/mediators to improve service delivery and community engagement, and the creation and dissemination of multilingual, multi-format health information materials. Specific interventions for groups experiencing increased vulnerabilities such as pregnant women were also proposed, alongside suggestions for creating citizen spaces and improving digital skills among healthcare staff. Conclusions The co-creation approach facilitated the development of tailored context-specific interventions that are anticipated to enhance health literacy, improve healthcare accessibility, and promote health equity for migrants. Key messages • Ideas Generation Workshops provide a platform for a wide range of groups to have their say and know their voice is being heard. • Co-creation tailors interventions to diverse needs, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.

The impact of healthcare worker migration in source countries: Colombia, Indonesia, and Jordan

Abstract Background To address domestic shortages, high-income countries are increasingly recruiting healthcare workers from low- and middle-income countries. This practice is much debated, yet empirical evidence is rare. This study fills this knowledge gap by reporting high-level stakeholders’ perspectives on health system impacts of international migration and active recruitment of HCWs in Colombia, Indonesia, and Jordan. Methods We used a multiple case study methodology, based on qualitative methods integrated with information available in the published literature. Results All respondents decried a lack of robust and detailed data as a serious challenge in ascertaining their perspectives on impacts of healthcare workersmigration. Stakeholders described current emigration levels as not substantially aggravating existing healthcare workforce availability challenges. This is due to the fact that all three countries are faced with healthcare worker unemployment grounded in unwillingness to work in rural areas and/or overproduction of certain cadres. Respondents, however, pleaded against targeting very experienced and specialised individuals. While observing little harm of healthcare worker migration at present, stakeholders also noted few benefits such as brain gain, describing how various barriers to skill enhancement, return, and reintegration into the health system hamper in practice what may be possible in theory. Conclusions Improved availability of data on healthcare workers migration, including their potential return and reintegration into their country of origin’s health system, is urgently necessary to understand and monitor costs and benefits in dynamic national and international health labour markets. Our results imply that potential benefits of migration do not come into being automatically, but need in-country supportive policy, such as favourable reintegration policies or programs targeting engagement of the diaspora.

Lifecycle of an Isolated Seismic Swarm in Continental Southern Norway from Nucleation, Acceleration, and Yielding to the Demise of Fault Slip

Abstract An intraplate earthquake swarm started near the Bitdal valley in the seismically inactive mountains of Southern Norway in summer 2020 and continued for more than two years. We detected 1600 earthquakes through template matching and obtained high-resolution relative magnitudes and locations for the events to resolve the swarm’s spatiotemporal evolution and tectonic implications. The detection results reveal that no earthquakes occurred at the swarm site for at least 22 yr prior to the current activity. In July 2020, six months before the swarm’s initially recognized onset, weak precursory events appeared. Hypocenter relocation shows that the swarm develops along a single 1.5 km patch on a northwest–southeast-striking fault with oblique-normal sense containing a left-lateral component. The seismicity follows a dual-velocity migration for which the slow, general migration reverses sense twice, and 30 short bursts show internal migration both with and against the general migration direction. Changes in the distribution of events let us divide the swarm into four phases: precursory activity, accelerating growth, main slip, and slow decline. The observed seismicity bursts, pauses, and dual migration velocities are consistent with a rupture-driven mechanism for which slip initiates spontaneously and keeps going in slow and quick failure cascades due to stress transfer and slip weakening.

International and internal migration and the subjective wellbeing of wives left behind in Ghana

AbstractHusbands' labour migration has ramifications for significant family members, particularly wives left behind. However, limited studies have been conducted to examine the impacts of husbands' migration on women left behind married to international and internal migrants. Drawing on a purposive sampling survey of 298 Ghanaian women (international = 129 and internal = 169) in the Volta Region, we assessed their subjective wellbeing using three dimensions: self‐reported health, self‐reported satisfaction with life, and self‐reported happiness. The results from t‐tests show that on average, international women left behind have higher perceived health (3.72), perceived happiness (3.82) and satisfaction with life (3.19). Results from the multivariable binary logistic regression analyses reveal that while no variables predict self‐reported health for international women left behind, high frequency of communication is statistically associated with internal women left behind self‐assessed health. International women left behind who lived in nuclear households and internal women left behind who reported high wealth quintiles were both statistically associated with satisfaction with life, respectively. While demographic factors (age and duration of marriage) were significant predictors of happiness for international women left behind, neighbourhood type and frequency of communication predicted happiness for internal women left behind. The differences in variables predicting each of the subjective wellbeing dimensions demonstrate the concept's multidimensionality. It also highlights factors influencing subjective wellbeing outcomes of women left behind are not solely due to their husbands' migration. The policy implications of this study are highlighted.

Injury of the musculoskeletal system in civilian casualties as a result of hostilities. Report 1. Age structure

The integration of the military medical supply system into the unified medical space of Ukraine involves the functional combination of forces and means of medical services and the civilian health care system in order to maximize their capabilities for effective medical supply of the troops while preserving organizational independence. The purpose of our study was to determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of civilian patients with trauma due to modern hostilities. Materials and methods. To carry out our work, we analyzed skeletal traumas in 137 civilian patients who were injured during modern hostilities in Ukraine and were treated in health care facilities of the frontline zone in 2014–2023. Results. Comparing epidemiological data in two different periods of the war in Ukraine, we concluded that there is some difference in the age structure of victims with traumatic injuries sustained during modern hostilities. Thus, during the high-intensity conflict, the number of children’s injuries increased dramatically. The share of victims under the age of 15 during the full-scale invasion increased 4.5 times. In this period, the percentage of young and middle-aged wounded civilians decreased. If in the period of Anti-Terrorist Operation/Joint Forces Operation the number of people aged 16–60 was 67.6 %, then with the beginning of hostilities their share decreased to 42.0 %. This trend indicates the strengthening of internal and external migration starting from February 2022. Unlike the young and middle-aged, the share of elderly and senile people increased dramatically during the full-scale war. During the period of low-intensity military operations, the number of patients aged 61–91 was 29.4 %, while during high-intensity conflict, it was already 44.8 %. A sharp increase in traumatic injuries among elderly and senile patients is another feature of this conflict. Conclusions. Publicizing the experience of providing medical care to patients with injuries sustained due to military actions in Ukraine is only at the beginning of its existence. That is why, based on the above, we planned to continue scientific research on this problem.

Relational ethics in immigrant families: The contextual therapy five-dimensional framework.

Contextual family therapy offers a unique explanatory and clinically valuable framework to address complex multigenerational processes in families of immigrants who experience cumulative migration-related traumas. In this paper, we offer a new extended, specific conceptualization of immigrant families' generational dynamics using existing literature within the five-dimensional contextual therapy framework illustrated with a clinical example. We highlight the importance of social and relational justice, loyalty, entitlement, and parentification in transgenerational processes in addressing manifestations of these traumas that are frequently overlooked in clinical practice with different generations of immigrant families. Clinical guiding principles include acknowledgment of the social nature of situational injustices and their consequences for relational justices, exploration of loyalty conflicts (familial, cultural, and national), active dialogue of mutual care, exoneration, and stimulating constructive entitlement through active giving. This paper contributes to further development of contextual therapy theory and provides practical guidance for clinicians working with international migrants including second and third generations.

CHALLENGES TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNAL MIGRATION IN UKRAINE

The article addresses the challenges faced by public administration in managing internal migration in Ukraine, driven by large-scale population movements due to the Russian-Ukrainian war, and the necessity of maintaining the stability of state institutions amidst social, economic, and demographic shifts. The purpose of the article is to identify the primary challenges confronting public administration in the context of internal migration and propose strategies to address them. To achieve this, the study employs an integrated approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The article identifies the causes of internal migration and the key factors contributing to internal displacement: armed conflict, economic hardships, and social and environmental issues. It analyzes the main challenges to public administration in this context, including organizational difficulties, coordination problems between different levels of government, a lack of resources for effectively managing migration processes, and socio-economic challenges. It is demonstrated that there is insufficient infrastructure to provide housing, employment, and social services for internally displaced persons (IDPs), along with inadequate funding for support programs, and difficulties in integrating IDPs into new communities and fostering interaction with the local population. The article reviews state policy on internal migration, evaluates existing programs and strategies, assesses the effectiveness of current state initiatives, and highlights the barriers to implementing effective IDP policies, such as underfunding and lack of coordination. The author proposes solutions to enhance coordination and management, develop a unified migration management system, engage local communities in addressing IDP issues, increase funding and resources, expand state support programs, attract international assistance to tackle internal migration challenges, and implement legal reforms. Recommendations for improving migration management are also provided to overcome these challenges.

SexWork.DK: a comparative study of citizenship and working hours among sex workers in Denmark

ABSTRACT Sex workers in Europe are increasingly of nonnational origin. The Schengen cooperation allows internal migration within the European Union, but many migrant sex workers originate from outside the EU. While sex workers are already in precarious positions, nonnationals risk deportation, dependent on their citizenship status, and may have debts to smugglers. Consequently, they may be more likely to work longer hours to increase short-term profits. Using a dataset of sex work advertisements from one Danish website (n = 2,594), we estimate the association between inferred citizenship status and a) advertised hours on shift using ordinary least squares regression, and b) the probability of advertising 24/7 availability using a linear probability model. Compared to Danish sex workers, we find migrants advertise almost twice as many hours on shift and are more likely to advertise 24/7 availability. These results shed light on the inequalities that persist between national and nonnational sex workers.

26 Culturally informed developmental paediatric care: A qualitative study

Abstract Background Paediatricians provide developmental care through developmental surveillance, identification and management of specific developmental disorders, and health advocacy. Despite being one of the most common reasons to visit a paediatrician, the provision of care in this field is challenging as it intersects with medical, mental health, and educational systems. Additionally, the rise of international migration, inequities in health systems, and unique culturally based concepts of child development require paediatricians to have unique skills for culturally informed care provision in this area. Objectives A qualitative study was conducted to describe the perceptions of paediatricians on providing culturally informed developmental paediatric care to diverse populations. Design/Methods Semi-structured interviews were completed with paediatricians who primarily provide developmental care to understand the challenges, opportunities, and potential educational enhancements to improve culturally informed care for developmental paediatrics. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the transcribed interviews using inductive and deductive approaches. Results Three major themes emerged from 18 individual semi-structured interviews. The first theme, “cultural translation,” described language differences, interpretation, and trust-building between discordant physician/family dyads. The second theme, “inequity,” described systemic barriers that diverse populations experience, power distance in healthcare relationships, and pandemic-related amplifications of inequity. The third theme, “educational opportunities,” highlighted reflective practice opportunities, immersive experiences in diverse settings, and building a community of practice for paediatricians to build their knowledge base. Paediatricians practicing developmental paediatric care highlighted unique elements to the practice which may benefit from practice changes and curricular reform. Integration of meaningful training in the use of interpretation services, multicultural health brokers, and care coordination teams is a recommended intervention which is transferable to many disciplines. Peer-mentorship from colleagues of differing cultural backgrounds may help reduce race-based stereotypes and enhance perspective taking. Conclusion Paediatricians had a variety of perspectives on the provision of developmental paediatric care to diverse populations within Canada. There were a range of perceived opportunities for improvements in care noted on individual and systems levels. The development of infrastructure to build capacity in culturally informed developmental paediatric care to reduce culturally based health gaps is a needed future direction for developmental paediatrics.

Race, Interests, and Perceptions in International Migration: A Review Article

Abstract The field of international migration has largely ignored race. Does the Global North's apparent warm welcome of mostly white Ukrainian Orthodox Christians fleeing Russia's war and its hostility towards black and brown non-Christan Middle Easterners and Africans escaping war and deprivation tell us anything? Although latecomers to the study of international migration, since the 1990s, political scientists have innovated the field of the politics of international migration but few works locate race as a focal point of analysis in either migration politics or international relations. The study of race in international migration in international relations is still rather nascent and centers on the Western world with a focus on how racial differences influence perception of threat, common identities, and even standards of good governance. Andrew Rosenberg's book Undesirable Immigrants: Why Racism Persists in International Migration offers a corrective to much of this in his examination of race and international migration from the perspective of international relations. It builds on the work of many critical and traditional scholars with a novel quantitative approach that “seeks to unmask” the issue of racial bias against “non-white migrants” primarily from the Global South. (11)

Central Venous Catheter Migration Into Pleura Diagnosed by Transesophageal Echocardiography.

Central venous catheter (CVC) tip migration is a well reported delayed complication of these vascular access devices with left-sided internal jugular or subclavian vein placement being the primary risk factor for this complication. We report a case of left internal jugular CVC migration and its diagnosis made by the heretofore unreported use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in this context. Moreover, we describe risk factors for CVC migration along with its diagnosis and management.

FORCED INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT OF THE UKRAINIAN POPULATION: RISKS RAISED BY WAR

The large-scale war forced millions of Ukrainians to leave their homes in search of safety. The mass displacement of the population led to an increase in the level of uncertainty and raised risks for both individuals and the whole of society. This article aims to assess the scale of internal migration in Ukraine during the war and to investigate the impact of this phenomenon on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the labor potential and the possibilities of its use. Our assessment of the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and our examination of the state of their adaptation and integration in the new territories of residence are based on administrative data about the registration of citizens as IDPs provided by social services as well as the surveys and research findings by international organizations and domestic sociological institutions. We present an overview of individual challenges and risks raised by the forced displacement of the population, and highlight the specific features of their manifestation. In particular, we single out an increase in the demographic burden, a decrease in the number of people of reproductive age, a reduction in the number of jobs, an increase in the burden on the budget, a drop in labor productivity, a loss or reduction in the income of a large part of the population, a limit of access to quality social services, as well as unemployment, deterioration of the quality of employment, increased social vulnerability, and weakening of social cohesion. Risks increase the probability of negative changes that lead to uncertainty, deterioration of the demographic situation, weakening of the stability of the economy, decline in the level and quality of life of the population, deepening of social inequality, growth of social tension, decline in the consumption capacity of the population, complete or partial loss of social ties and jobs. We offer recommendations regarding priorities and specific measures of the national state policy aimed at avoiding risks and minimizing their possible consequences. The implementation of this policy should be focused on establishing legal, economic, and institutional frameworks for easing tensions in the areas of material security and employment, improving the demographic situation as well as the quality and availability of social services, and improving living conditions.

Heat impacts on an aging society: a spatio-temporal analysis of heatstroke deaths in Japan

Abstract Climate change, especially through heatwaves, significantly affects human health and is a growing global concern. Concurrently, population aging is occurring worldwide, with many countries experiencing an increase in their elderly populations. As the elderly are particularly susceptible to extreme temperatures and unevenly distributed due to internal migration of younger populations, a spatio-temporal analysis integrating temperature changes and demographic data is essential. This study focuses on Japan, a super-aged society where over 25% of the total population is 65 years or older. We examined the effects of climate and the proportion of the elderly population on heatstroke deaths through spatio-temporal analysis within a Bayesian framework. We estimated the annual relative risk of heatstroke-related deaths at the prefecture level from 2008 to 2019. The results indicate a strong spatial autocorrelation in heatstroke deaths across Japan. The spatio-temporal interaction model was the best-performing, showing that regional and temporal variations significantly impact heatstroke mortality. In this model, a one-degree increase in temperature anomaly was linked to a 0.35 (95% CI 0.25 to 0.46) times higher odds of heatstroke deaths, while a 1% increase in the population aged 65 years or older was associated with 4.85 (95% CI 0.92 to 8.65) times higher odds. We found that not only metropolitan areas but also rural areas, such as the Tohoku and Shikoku regions, face a high risk of heatstroke, emphasizing the need to address the challenges in rural communities. Our study highlights the necessity of integrating temperature changes and demographic data in a spatio-temporal context for heatstroke risk assessment. It demonstrates the profound effects of temperature anomalies and the proportion of the elderly population on heatstroke mortality. This research framework could be applicable to other countries experiencing aging and heatwave issues, aiding in the development of targeted public health interventions.

Indirect Cost Burden as an Emerging Issue of Foreign Employment in Developing Nations

Background: The current migration patterns and shifts present significant challenges, including widespread human rights abuses, exploitation of migrant laborers, high indirect costs due to expensive travel, limited affordable credit options, scarce job opportunities for low-skilled workers, and inadequate domestic migration policies. This study aims to identify the additional financial burdens faced by Nepalese migrant workers in Gulf countries. Methodology: A qualitative research design was used, with purposive sampling to select participants who had migrated to Gulf countries. In-depth interviews with 55 migrant laborers were conducted to gather data on cost burdens and employment conditions. Findings: Results showed that the indirect cost burden increased significantly after 2015 due to extended processing periods and technical procedures. Respondents generally preferred regulations before 2015. Despite legal changes like the "Free Visa: Free Ticket" policy reducing direct expenses, intermediaries and other indirect costs have offset this reduction, increasing the financial burden on migrant workers. Conclusion: The study provides valuable insights into Nepal's foreign employment complexities, urging more research and measures for migrant worker well-being. Findings reveal intermediaries exploiting workers by altering passport photos or obtaining counterfeit birth certificates. Additionally, 2% of surveyed workers migrated as young returnees before age 18. These insights are essential to empower recruitment agencies and improve their practices, ensuring safer, prompt, and more productive labor migration. Novelty: This study uncovers the hidden financial burdens Nepalese migrant workers face in Gulf countries. It highlights the offsetting effect of intermediaries on legal reforms like the "Free Visa: Free Ticket" policy. It offers new insights into labor exploitation and emphasizes better regulation and worker protection.

A mutual aid group for pastoral care practitioners providing services to international migrant laborers

ABSTRACT In the days following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, a mutual aid group for pastoral care practitioners who serve international labor migrants (ILMs) was conducted virtually. This article describes the formation and proceedings of this brief mutual aid group for pastoral care practitioners. While describing the content that emerged during the three sessions, some important processes and dimensions of mutual aid groups are highlighted. Additionally, the article shares details about the valuable services rendered by pastoral care practitioners supporting ILMs, alongside the complexity, prolonged presence, and invisibility of ILMs in Israeli society at large. It argues that mutual aid groups are an effective intervention to support these professionals, who know firsthand the situation of ILMs and migrant communities and continued to care for them during the recent events and resulting war.

Crisis as inflection point in the urban governance of domestic migration in India: a policy frames analysis

The exodus of millions of domestic migrants from Indian cities during COVID-19 highlighted the failure of urban governance to address their vulnerabilities and reconfirmed that migrant integration is an intractable policy problem, where actors take oppositional and irresolvable positions. Drawing on frame analysis, which outlines agenda-setting aspects of complex policy issues, this paper explores the ideas, perceptions and beliefs of diverse governance actors – politicians, bureaucrats and civil society members – and questions whether the COVID-19 migrant crisis generated new directions in the urban governance of migration. Results show that the COVID-19 crisis generated framing contests around the role of cities in migrant inclusion that shaped new governance agendas regarding improving urban services and welfare delivery. However, owing to a persistent belief in rural sedentarism, COVID-19 failed to act as a tipping point for definitive policy towards improved urban governance of migration. The findings suggest that deeper analysis of policy frames can enrich literature on the governance of domestic migration and encourage theoretical convergences between domestic and international migration.