MIGRATION

THE COSTS & BENEFITS OF

MIGRATION AS A STRATEGY

FOR DEVELOPMENT

Can be divided in 6 phases

Phase 1 – between 1791 and 1838 was dominated by political exiles.

Phase 2 – between 1838 and 1885 involved inter-territorial movements of people caused by the abolition of slavery.

Phase 3 – between 1885 and 1920 was a period of inter-Caribbean migration

Phase 4 - between 1920 and 1940 was a temporary lull in Caribbean migration.

Phase 5 – between 1940 and 1969 involved primary movement to North America & Europe.

Phase 6 – present stage continues earlier trend toward extra-regional, inter-Caribbean and return migration.

Age - 20-39 years (since 1980s)

Gender – mostly female (since 1970s)

Class – from all classes, particularly middle & upper

Skills – skilled professionals/occupations

Brain Gain and Skills transfer

Remittances – increased foreign exchange

Increased Employment Opportunities

Increased Investment Opportunities

Diasporic lobby

Increased Tourist arrivals (esp. from Diaspora)

Increased exports to Diasporic Community

Controls overpopulation

Transnational Networks created

Regional & Hemispheric Integration

Brain drain

Loss of benefits from Taxes and Diminishing returns on Educational investment

Culture of Emigration

Decreased productivity - unearned income & disincentive

Deportees & Increase in Crime

Family breakup & Gender imbalance

Mobile population resulting in increased instances of HIV & AIDS

New mode of dependency on diasporic profits & vulnerability to external shocks.

Migration has raised the standards of living for Caribbean people – resulting in socioeconomic development.

Facilitating the involvement of the Diaspora and its resources in politics, culture, investment, exports, tourism and social life can result in economic, social & cultural development.

Directing remittances through banking systems to expand savings, reduce consumption, and contribute to a pool of resources which can be invested and in turn contributing to economic development.