South Migrants Research Articles

Emplacing capital

ABSTRACTSince the 1990s, commercial sites across Asia and the Middle East have seen an uptick in visits from Nigerian importers, tens of thousands of whom are now passing through every year. In this context, in which circulatory South–South migration has intensified and transnational commercial links have strengthened, Nigerian mass commercial markets have remained strikingly resistant to monopolies. This is largely shaped by traders’ associations, which defend against corporate and non‐Black foreign actors. This article situates these defensive market practices in longer histories of decolonial “indigenization” efforts, postcolonial anxieties of the petrostate economy, and ethnoregional mobilizations undertaken by Igbo people in Nigeria's post–civil war era. Transnational importers mobilize a distinct politics of “emplacement” in Nigeria, where market actors explicitly attempt to create and control the conditions of exchange. They do so by making political claims to profit and by using the rhetoric of citizenship. [capitalism, emplacement, citizenship, transnational, commerce, Lagos, Nigeria, Africa, Global South]

A framework for the labour market integration of female accompanying spouses in South Africa

Orientation: The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda highlights that migration is key to inclusive growth and economic development. For economic development to be realised, the full integration of skilled migrants into the labour market is essential.Research purpose: This research aimed at exploring the labour market experiences and self-initiated strategies of accompanying spouses, also referred to as tied migrants, in their attempt to achieve labour market integration (LMI) in South Africa.Motivation for the study: Skilled migration of tied migrants remains understudied in the Global South context. Thus, this study sought to fill this gap.Research approach/design and method: The study used a qualitative research approach to interrogate the experiences of accompanying spouses in South Africa. Thirteen one-on-one interviews were conducted, each lasting for 1.5 h on average. Thematic analysis was applied to the data.Main findings: Self-initiated strategies that reflect agency and a pushback on governing technologies by accompanying spouses can facilitate integration into the South African labour market. However, these strategies do not guarantee full LMI. The broad exclusionary context, premised on ethnicised rationalities that characterise the South African labour market, makes full LMI difficult to achieve, particularly in the absence of support for integration.Practical/managerial implications: This study makes practical contributions by making policy recommendations which consider the global agenda for women, especially concerning gender equality and empowerment.Contribution/value-add: Skilled migration in the global south remains significantly under-researched and there is evidence of significant gaps in literature particularly pertaining to migration by skilled women migrants. This research contributes to bridging this gap.

Colonial Labor Policy and North–South Migration in Ghana

Abstract Although European contact with Ghana dates back to the second half of the fifteenth century (1471), it was in the closing decades of the nineteenth century that the northern part of the country had its first European visitor. This was M. J. Bonnat, a French trader, in 1876. Until then, much of European activity was limited to the southern part of the country. As the next century began following this historic visit, the present geographical location of modern Ghana was formerly declared and recognized as a British colony (January 1, 1902). Unlike the South of the Gold Coast, the North was not seen to have any natural resources to bolster the colonial economy. For the entire colonial period, therefore, the most significant benefit to be derived from the North by the colonial government was human labor. This had serious implications for north–south migration in the country. It necessitated the movement of people southwards to satisfy colonial labor needs. The early decades of the twentieth century marked a system of forced migration of only males from the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast to the south (from about 1906 to 1927). Segregation of families, exposure to the vagaries of the weather, disease and death were some of the immediate consequences resulting from the forced migration. For the rest of the colonial period, migration southwards became increasingly voluntary and women were gradually drawn into the migration process. To what extent has this early form of migration affected contemporary outmigration patterns and development in Northern Ghana? This article examines the dynamics that were involved in the forced labor recruitment and the impact arising out of this.

A West African Spider-Man and the Enduring Concept of “the Stranger”

A West African Spider-Man and the Enduring Concept of “the Stranger”

‘Door‐to‐door’: An emerging transnational business model along the Global North‐Global South migration corridor

AbstractThe transnational focus in migration studies since the turn of the 20th century has discussed migrants and their migration activities as spanning both origin and destination countries. Migrants' lives and their activities in both origin and destination countries have also been discussed in‐depth in several studies. However, businesses that facilitate in‐kind transnational links migrants maintain with their relatives and friends back home have received far less attention in the literature. This paper bridges this gap by focusing extensively on ‘door‐to‐door’ a transnational business model that makes in‐kind remittance transfers possible for migrants and their friends and relatives. This exploratory paper discusses the origins, structure, and operations of these businesses in Ghana and in the United Kingdom and the benefits as well as challenges they encounter within the transnational space. We do this by drawing on interviews conducted with Ghanaian migrant‐owned shipping businesses in the United Kingdom and their partners in Ghana.

Migratory network reveals unique spatial-temporal migration dynamics of Dunlin subspecies along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

Determining the dynamics of where and when individuals occur is necessary to understand population declines and identify critical areas for populations of conservation concern. However, there are few examples where a spatially and temporally explicit model has been used to evaluate the migratory dynamics of a bird population across its entire annual cycle. We used geolocator-derived migration tracks of 84 Dunlin (Calidris alpina) on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) to construct a migratory network describing annual subspecies-specific migration patterns in space and time. We found that Dunlin subspecies exhibited unique patterns of spatial and temporal flyway use. Spatially, C. a. arcticola predominated in regions along the eastern edge of the flyway (e.g., western Alaska and central Japan), whereas C. a. sakhalina predominated in regions along the western edge of the flyway (e.g., N China and inland China). No individual Dunlin that wintered in Japan also wintered in the Yellow Sea, China seas, or inland China, and vice-versa. However, similar proportions of the 4 subspecies used many of the same regions at the center of the flyway (e.g., N Sakhalin Island and the Yellow Sea). Temporally, Dunlin subspecies staggered their south migrations and exhibited little temporal overlap among subspecies within shared migration regions. In contrast, Dunlin subspecies migrated simultaneously during north migration. South migration was also characterized by individuals stopping more often and for more days than during north migration. Taken together, these spatial-temporal migration dynamics indicate Dunlin subspecies may be differentially affected by regional habitat change and population declines according to where and when they occur. We suggest that the migration dynamics presented here are useful for guiding on-the-ground survey efforts to quantify subspecies' use of specific sites, and to estimate subspecies' population sizes and long-term trends. Such studies would significantly advance our understanding of Dunlin space-time dynamics and the coordination of Dunlin conservation actions across the EAAF.

South–south migration and female labor supply in the Dominican Republic

This article investigates the effects of female immigration to the Dominican Republic (DR)—most of which is from Haiti and of low-education levels—on the labor supply of native women. Using individual-level data for 2003–2016 and exploiting geographic variation in early immigrant settlements together with time variation in female immigration inflows, we find that female immigration has led to disparate outcomes across women of different education levels and family structures. In line with the evidence from developed countries, female immigration to the DR is associated with an increase in the hours worked by highly educated native women with family dependents (relative to equally educated women without dependents). However, for low-educated native women, female immigration is associated with a decrease in hours worked and in earnings. Our results underscore the importance of studying the disparate effects of migration on vulnerable groups in developing countries.

Intersectionality on screen. A coloniality perspective to understand popular culture representations of intersecting oppressions at work

AbstractThe article examines popular culture representations of Global South migrants' work through combining a coloniality perspective with an intersectional analysis. In doing so, we analyze two award winning films depicting the experiences of women migrant workers (FatimaandBread and Roses) in France and the United States of America. The analysis reveals that representations of the effects of intersecting power structures should be understood as a dynamic phenomenon, embedded in different coloniality regimes. Furthermore, it shows how popular culture representations of oppression are multifaceted and reflect stereotyping but also the victims' responses to oppressive conditions. These are represented as opportunities for change, but can, sometimes, contribute to reproduce oppression. The article theorizes the social and discursive (re)production of intersecting oppressions in popular culture by embedding these within coloniality regimes. It discusses how this coloniality perspective can bring to the fore the complexity of intersecting oppressions and the limited, but significant, forms of agency exercised by colonial subjects.

An Intertropical Convergence Zone shift controlled the terrestrial material supply on the Ninetyeast Ridge

Abstract. Among various climate drivers, direct evidence for the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) control of sediment supply on the millennial scale is lacking, and the changes in ITCZ migration demonstrated in paleoclimate records need to be better investigated. Here, we use clay minerals and Sr–Nd isotopes obtained from a gravity core on the Ninetyeast Ridge to track the corresponding source variations and analyze the relationship between terrestrial material supply and climatic changes. On the glacial–interglacial scale, chemical weathering weakened during the North Atlantic cold-climate periods and falling sea level hindered the transport of smectite into the study area due to the exposure of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, the influence of the South Asian monsoon on the sediment supply was not obvious on the millennial scale. We suggest that the north–south migration of the ITCZ controlled the rainfall in Myanmar and further directly determined the supply of clay minerals on the millennium scale because the transport of smectite was highly connected with the ITCZ location; thus, the regional shift of the ITCZ induced an abnormal increase in the smectite percentage during the late Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in our records. The smectite percentage in the studied core is similar to distinct ITCZ records but different in some periods, revealing that regional changes in the ITCZ were significantly obvious, the ITCZ is not a simple north–south displacement, and closer connections occurred between the Northern–Southern Hemisphere in the eastern Indian Ocean during the late LGM.

Hyperdontia across sub-Saharan Africa: Prevalence, patterning, and implications

ObjectiveHyperdontia data in modern and premodern sub-Saharan Africans are presented by region—West, Central, East, and South, and sex. Beyond describing the anomaly, comparisons are made with other world populations and future work is promoted. These findings may be useful to both dental clinicians and anthropologists. MethodsHyperdontia presence and patterning were recorded in 51 samples of skeletal dentitions and hardstone casts (n = 1916). Its infrequency prompted regional pooling after grouping by time. Only adults were included to record later forming fourth molars reportedly common in Africans. Quantitative analyses, including 95% confidence intervals, were conducted to characterize spatiotemporally sub-Saharan peoples. ResultsForty-four of 1429 modern individuals (3.08%) exhibit hyperdontia (CI 2.24–4.13%). Regional variation is significant, particularly West-Central vs. East-South, between 6.8% and 1.5%. Four of 487 premodern individuals, 0.82%, have hyperdontia (0.22–2.10%), with minimal regional differences. Males are most affected, as reported by other researchers. Other similarities with non-African research are evident regarding isomere, antimere, and form, with one key exception—a proclivity for the posterior over anterior maxilla. Conclusions3.08% is toward the upper end of published world ranges, including an oft-cited 0.1–3.6 + %. However, the regional variation argues against a single prevalence to describe collectively the subcontinental inhabitants. This variation parallels past west to east and south migrations like other biocultural indicators. Thus, beyond a health concern to clinicians or interesting anomaly to anthropologists, hyperdontia may be useful in other studies. There are no equivalent premodern ranges for comparison. Similarity in patterning overall to previous findings suggests a shared, potentially ancient genetic component in expression.

It’s all about politics: Migration and resource conflicts in the global south

Both researchers and policy makers have repeatedly expressed concerns that migration will enhance conflicts regarding renewable resources in destination areas. This concept is fuelled by projections of large future migration flows within the Global South, resulting from armed conflict, global environmental change, and persistent economic inequalities. However, as of yet, there is no conclusive empirical evidence of a nexus between migration, resource competition, and conflict at an aggregate level. Case studies draw contradicting conclusions, and cross-case research on the topic remains scarce. Here, we combine comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data from 20 cases in rural Asia, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. Based on these cases, we investigate why certain areas hosting migrants have resource-related conflicts, while others do not. Using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), we evaluate and elucidate two combinations of conditions under which resource conflict involving migrants in destination areas occurs: (1) high reliance on natural resources and negative othering of migrants in terms of resource use, and (2) government policies supporting parts of the migrant group coupled with limited resource use possibilities due to conservation efforts or industrial activities. By underlining the crucial role of grievances related to perceived unfair resource access and the strong influence of government actions on local migrant-host dynamics, we challenge deterministic narratives of migration, resource scarcity and conflict.

Rural-urban migration and the well-being of the migrant-sending households: An impact evaluation study

Background: Rural-urban migration is largely depicted as a household survival strategy, yet rigorous quantitative studies to uncover its impact on the sending households is rare.Aim: The study aims to assess the causal impacts of rural-urban migration on sending households’ economic and subjective well-being (SWB).Setting: The context of the analysis is South African rural-urban migration using the National Income Dynamics Study panel data.Methods: A range of methods are used to increase the consistency and precision of estimates, namely: Ordinary Least Squares, Fixed Effects, Difference in Differences, Difference in Differences with Propensity Score Matching and Difference in Differences with instrumental variables, controlling for pertinent issues such as fixed effects, self-selection and endogeneity.Results: Our econometric analysis reveals a positive correlation between migration and the SWB of the sending household. This effect can be attributed to a range of factors discussed in the study, one of which is the positive association observed between the migration of a household member and the origin household’s economic well-being. This upswing in economic well-being is captured by increasing the sending household’s monthly income per capita and increased remittance inflows.Conclusion: From our analysis, we can infer that the improvement in economic well-being offsets the psychological effects of separation, thus leading to the enhanced SWB of the migrant-sending households in South Africa.

Children, childhoods and bilingualism: Exploring experiences, perspectives and policies

Children, childhoods and bilingualism: Exploring experiences, perspectives and policies

Unpacking Super-Exploitation in the 21st Century: The Struggles of Haitian Workers in Brazil

Emerging patterns of south–south migration and rapid economic growth in developing countries have highlighted the need for new conceptual contributions accounting for the experiences of migrant workers in the Global South. The concept of super-exploitation has been among those contributions with reference to appalling working conditions and the dependence of developing countries on the export of commodities. However, this article argues that the understanding of contemporary forms of super-exploitation experienced by migrant workers remains underdeveloped. Drawing upon 42 semi-structured interviews with Haitian workers in Brazil, this study makes an innovative contribution to the conceptualisation of super-exploitation in the 21st century, particularly from the perspective of social reproduction theory. This article argues that super-exploitation can be defined more accurately as a combination of economic and non-economic forces that entangle productive–reproductive–exploitative relationships, thereby shaping the dependence of workers on wages below the value necessary for their social reproduction.

Looking for Better: A History of Black Southern Migrations

A broad overview of migrations affecting black southerners is presented, including the Atlantic slave trade, the domestic slave trade, colonization movements to Sierra Leone and Liberia, the Exoduster movement, the Great Migration, and the Return South migration. Emigrants convey their experiences and motivations through testimonies and personal accounts. Surviving the trauma of forced migrations, black southerners organized numerous migration movements both outside and within American polities in search of better opportunities. In the late 20th century, black southerners also initiated a return migration to the American South and have since achieved notable socioeconomic and political progress.

Impact of South African migration policies on the migrants’ quality of life and the role of social work

This paper discusses the impact of South African migration policies on the migrants’ quality of life. It does that with a particular focus on the Bill of Rights as contained in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. This is followed by a discussion on the role of social work in addressing any shortcomings that arise as a result of the implementation of the migration policies. This paper is primarily a desk study involving rigorous literature review on migration and relevant South African policies and international instruments. Theoretically, the ecosystems perspective is adopted to support and guide discussions in this paper. The discussions in this paper reveal that the South African migration policies do contribute towards the quality of life of the migrants, however, the challenges emanate from the implementation stage. It is from this understanding that various social work roles are discussed in order to help address the identified challenges.
 

Unpacking the unintended consequences of European migration governance: the case of South American migration policy liberalisation

ABSTRACT Research on the external dimension of EU migration governance has focused on the EU’s interests, preferences, and policy efficiency and coherence. Little attention has been paid to the myriad ways both partner and third countries react to the union’s external action. We explore the European influence on immigration and refugee policy liberalisation in South America, a region not directly targeted by extra-regional migration governance. Based on the analysis of 130 original interviews with government officials and NGO and IO representatives in eight South American countries we show that - although South American policymakers generally regard the EU as a model of ‘efficiency’, in terms of the EU’s intra-regional mobility regime – the remarkable legislative liberalisation in the region took place in the context of both political and moral opposition to restrictive shifts in EU extra-regional migration governance. The paper contributes to the literature on the EU external migration governance, policy diffusion, and Latin American migration policies by uncovering some of the unintended consequences of European migration governance in South America.

Underestimated scale of songbird offshore migration across the south-eastern North Sea during autumn

Flights over open water can be challenging for migrating songbirds. Despite numerous observations of songbirds migrating over remote islands, virtually nothing is known about the proportion of songbirds risking to fly offshore rather than to follow the coastline. By means of large-scale automated radio-telemetry, we individually tracked songbirds during their autumn migration through the German Bight area in the south-eastern North Sea. Our tracking network facilitated the recording of movement patterns over the bay and, for the first time, the estimation of the proportions of individuals embarking on offshore flights from their coastal stopover sites. Our data are consistent with previous observations of decreasing migration densities from nearshore to offshore, i.e. from east to west in autumn. Still, we revealed a considerable proportion of 25% of birds flying offshore. The tendency to fly offshore decreased from west to south migrants, which is in line with optimal bird migration theory. Among south-west migrating species, which also comprise the vast majority of songbird species migrating through the German Bight area, thrushes showed the highest proportions of offshore flights. Considering the recent and ongoing increase of artificial offshore structures, our results suggest that some species or species groups might especially face an increased risk of being negatively affected.

Weapons of the Weak? South–South Migration and Power Politics in the Philippines–GCC Corridor

Weapons of the Weak? South–South Migration and Power Politics in the Philippines–GCC Corridor

Constructing “Good Immigrants”: South Asian Migration during the Cold War

Constructing “Good Immigrants”: South Asian Migration during the Cold War