Circular migration: looking at both sides of the debate

Subject : Geography

Section :Economic geography

Source: TH

Circular migration:

Circular migration is a repetitive form of migration wherein people move to another place (the destination country) and back (country of origin) according to the availability of employment. It is not a permanent movement and the migration takes place for a brief period of time when work is available.
It is a phenomenon mostly among low-income groups who migrate to avail of seasonally available jobs in another country, city, place etc.

Defining circular migration:

But how many times does a migrant have to move between countries to be called a circular migrant?

As per the report on measuring circular migration by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Task Force, one is called a circular migrant if you have completed at least ‘two loops’ between two countries.
In short, if your primary destination is the country of origin and if you move periodically between two countries for purposes of economic advancement such as employment, business etc., you can be considered a circular migrant.

Emergence of circular migration:

Emerged during the 1960s and 70s with the advent of globalization and development.
Increased access to modern forms of transport and communication, social networks and the growth of multinational corporations have aided the advent of circular migration.

Impact of migration on policy formation:

Migration from one country to another creates brain drain for their origin countries and competition for the citizens of the destination countries.
The flow of people moving from rural areas to more urban areas of the same country, results in the breakdown of infrastructure and agrarian stagnation.
Therefore, migration of any kind has become a policy hazard.
Drawbacks: Brain drain, Cultural conflicts

Circular migration- a balanced migration method:

Through this the needs of development and individual economic advancement can be balanced out.
In origin countries, it is beneficial due to the flow of remittances which will boost and aid the domestic economy. The flow of foreign capital will enhance the economy ensuring more infrastructure, more jobs and by association, a better standard of living.
In destination countries, a lesser population and a higher access to education has resulted in a large dearth of low-income low-skill jobs which migrants have been able to fill.
Through circular migration, the brain drain will reduce and a sort of brain circulation will be encouraged, wherein the individual can use his talents in both countries and still contribute to remittances.
Circular migration offers a way out to the governments of destination countries as migrants will circulate back to their home areas.
Labour can be introduced to undertake essential functions but it will not remain and become a permanent part of the population. This way circular migration can be “sold” to the populations of the host countries with the claim that these laborers will eventually go home.

Circular migration within India:

In India, internal migration has almost always been circular.
Between 2004–2005 and 2011–2012, the construction sector witnessed one of the largest net increases in employment for all workers, specifically for rural males.
In India, the uneven development post-liberalisation, has led to a lot of inter-State migration, with States like West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar having some of the highest rates of out-migration.
Initially, while most of the migration was to Delhi, nowadays it has increased to southern States as well.
Positive outcomes: Increased access to higher paying jobs when compared to origin States, better household welfare due to remittances, ease of mobility and women get more autonomy and decision-making power in the family due to the absence of men who migrate.
Negative outcomes: Middlemen or brokers, work in unhygienic and unsafe conditions with little to no protective equipment, seasonal or irregular work, loss of livelihood due to pandemic (for example- Covid-19 virus pandemic), indigenous wage groups and unions resent these migrants as they are seen as taking away their jobs by agreeing to work for lower wages.
It is considered as subsistence migration– a bare minimum.

Awaz health scheme:

Kerala has announced health insurance schemes for migrant workers (Awaz Health scheme).
Aim: to provide health insurance (upto 15000) and accidental death coverage (upto 2 lakh) for migrant workers living in the state.
This is a first of its kind scheme intended for migrant laborers working in a state in India.
Announced by the Kerala government in November 2017.
Eligibility: between the age of 18 years and 60 years.