The turn of the 90s: continuities and fractures of Peruvian migration to Córdoba, Argentina

Migration: emigrants, characteristics and fates.

 Eduardo Bologna

Pablo Martin Gómez

National University of Córdoba, Argentina. Conicet

BSPS Annual Conference 2011 

Motivations and Previous Studies

Regional migratory flows to Argentina have increased steadily in the last few decades (Benencia, 1997; Bologna, 2007). These movements relate to changes ranging from the pioneers´ tentative movements, to the increase of the potentially migrant population in the countries of origin. In this process, access to the job market is restricted to specific sectors, and the newly settled community facilitates the establishment of new arrivals: it provides information, strategies for economic insertion and help with accommodation

Increase in the 90's in the number of people born in Peru living in Argentina mainly due to exchange rate. During the 90's, the decade was the largest immigration increase, however, Argentina was characterized by high rates of urban unemployment, reaching a peak with the 2001 economic crisis. Migrants were also affected by precarious employment and unregistered work.

Peruvian studies in Argentina have previously been focused mainly on Buenos Aires. The main issues were: occupational trajectories and labour market integration (Cerruti & Maguid: 2006; Bruno: 2007).

Theoretical Considerations

New approaches in the field of migration studies that articulate agency and structure. Recognize both structure and agency. Migration not as an individual decision or determined by large structures.

Different authors agree that the household is the most appropriate unit of analysis: New Economics of Labor Migration (NELM) (Stark & Bloom, 1985; E. J. Taylor, 1999). The new economics of labor migration emerged as a critical response to neo-classical migration theory (Massey et al., 1993) The Transnational Approach in the study of the settlement and integration of migrant communities in receiving countries (Glick Schiller, Basch, and Blanc-Szanton, 1991, Castles and Miller, 2009; Faist, 2004).

This corresponded with a general paradigm shift in contemporary social theory, away from grand theories towards more pluralist, hybrid approaches, which simultaneously take into account agency and structure (De Haas, 2010).

Objetive

Analyze the break in the Peruvian process of migration into Córdoba city (Argentina).

Specific Objectives

Analyze migration networks of members of the household. Analyze employment trajectory of members of the household.

Data and Methodology

Source of data: secondary data of Argentina census, in-depth interview and primary data through snowball sampling.

First phase: participant observation and in-depth interview with members of Peruvians association. At this stage we produced a short documentary (24 min.)

Second phase: snowball sampling (with theoretical saturation).

The distribution of Peruvians in Argentina shows a high concentration in Buenos Aires City and the state of Buenos Aires, followed in importance by Córdoba.

1980 8.002

1991 16.548

2001 88.260

Increase of Peruvians in Argentina

Source: Census 1980, 1991, 2001

However…

Distribution of Peruvians in Argentina according to Census 2001.

Peruvians: High Spatial Concentration in Alberdi neighborhood, Córdoba.%BornPeru/TotPop

6.30

2.60

0.50

0.20

0.10

0.00

Total-Peruvians764

6549770411

Source: own elaboration, Census 2001. INDEC.Argentina Made with Philcarto*http://philcarto.free.fr

Peruvians in Córdoba, Argentina

Source: Census 2001

Females 58.3%

Active 82.5%

Between 15 and 64 87.3%

Place of:

Birth Residence 5 years ago Current Residence

Type of migrant

B A A Earlier

B B A Recent

C B A Multiple

A B A Return

A A A No Migration

Considering the Classification of United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) according to time and birthplace. Both, internal migration and international migration.

In the preliminary analysis (with census data, 2001) the classification, as proposed by (ECLAC), was used.

In subsequent analysis the classification is redefined between earlier and more recent migrants.

Main results

According to our fieldwork and in-depth interviews, there are two different kinds of Peruvians migration to Córdoba:

1)Previous migrants, arriving in Córdoba in the 60’s seeking education in the University.

•Recent migrants, arriving in Córdoba in the 90’s, mainly seeking work due to the exchange rate between Peru and Argentina.

According to this, we used the typology of ECLAC redefining the criteria and distinguishing between Migrants who arrived before and after 1995.

Main characteristics of the survey

Arrival time Total % Male% Female %

Total100,0(127)

100,0(66)

100,0(61)

Until 1995 32,3 40,9 23,0

From 1996 67,7 59,1 77,0

Peruvians in Córdoba according to arrival time. 2009

Source: Survey of Peruvian migrants in Córdoba. 2009

Reasons for migrations Total % Male % Female % Earlier% Recent%

Labor migration 15,4 18,5 22,0 15,4 22,4

Unemployment 9,3 4,6 20,3 7,7 14,1

Better employment in Córdoba 11,7 13,9 17,0 12,8 16,5

Education 20,4 32,3 20,3 53,9 14,1

Looking for better quality of life 11,7 18,5 11,9 12,8 16,5

Family 12,3 13,9 18,6 15,45 16,5

Source: Survey of Peruvian migrants in Córdoba. 2009

Some difficulties in the field work:

Problems in the interview of all household members due to high rates of activities.

Problems in the interview of some person due to irregular migratory situation and labour status.

Problems of hidden populations

Migration Networks

Previous acquaintances Total % Male % Female % Earlier% Recent%

Acquaintances82,7

(105)77,3(51)

88,5(54)

70,7(29)

88,4(76)

Relatives 51,1 72,0 68,5 56,7 75,7

Friends 39,9 64,0 46,3 70,0 48,7

Type of help Total % Male% Female % Earlier% Recent%

Accommodation 39,6 78,7 81,4 92,6 74,6

Help to find work 30,8 57,5 67,4 44,4 69,8

Source: Survey of Peruvian migrants in Córdoba.2009

Source: Survey of Peruvian migrants in Córdoba. 2009

Type of help

Previous acquaintances

Male Female total

total % total % total %

Total 1.858 100,0 2.492 100,0 4.350 100,0

Professional 185 10,0 33 1,3 218 5,0Technical 220 11,8 115 4,6 335 7,7

Operational 1.117 60,1 194 7,8 1.311 30,1

No qualification 259 13,9 2.111 84,7 2.370 54,5

No information 23 1,2 6 0,2 29 0,7Ignored qualification 54 2,9 33 1,3 87 2,0

Qualification of job

Source: census 2001.

Activities Last activiy in PeruFirst activity in

CórdobaCurrent activity

Total100,0(106)

100,0(107)

100,0(104)

Domestic workers 5,7 35,5 20,2Construction workers 1,9 18,7 17,3Self employment/Employer 5,7 2,8 19,2Professional worker 16,0 1,9 12,5Clerks 14,2 9,3 21,2Housewife 4,7 1,9 1,9Student 23,6 14,0 1,9Unemployment 1,9 3,7 2,9Trade 15,1 4,7 -Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing 9,4 0,9 -Other 1,9 6,5 2,9

Employment in Peru and Argentina

Source: Survey of Peruvian migrants in Córdoba. 2009

Employment trajectory

Earlier migrantsLast activity in

PeruFirst activity in

CordobaLatest activity in

CordobaDomestic workers 0.0% 28.9% 10.5%

Construction workers 2.7% 7.9% 5.3%Self employment/Employer 0.0% 5.3% 23.7%Professional worker 18.9% 0.0% 18.4%

Supermarket, Internet Café, Call Center 8.1% 2.6% 34.2%Student 45.9% 34.2% 2.6%Other activities 24.3% 21.1% 5.3%Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Source: Survey of Peruvian migrants in Córdoba. 2009

Source: Survey of Peruvian migrants in Córdoba. 2009

Recent migrantsLast activity

in PeruFirst activity in

CordobaLatest activity

in CordobaDomestic workers 8.7% 39.1% 25.8%

Construction workers 1.4% 24.6% 24.2%Self employment/Employer 8.7% 1.4% 16.7%Professional worker 14.5% 2.9% 9.1%Supermarket, Internet Café, Call Center 17.4% 13.0% 13.6%Student 11.6% 2.9% 1.5%Other activities 37.7% 15.9% 9.1%Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Conclusions

The choice of ECLAC classification is helpful in allowing comparison between two kinds of groups and identifying different ways of incorporation into the host society.

The in-depth interviews show that the migration to Cordoba is associated with social mobility, economic or professional success. In the earlier migrants these were mainly people belonging to the middle class attracted by the university. In this case the migration is a way to improve or maintain the social position.

The group of recent migrants show a different dynamics similar to Bolivians in Argentina (Bologna, 2007). The main features here are the effect of social network and the incorporation in low-wage economic activities with low skill requirements. The path to upward mobility in the host society is unlikely.

We need more methodological work in order to resolve the problem with groups that are small relative to the general population, and for which no exhaustive list of population members is available. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is one of the possible solution to this.

Thank you very much!!!