BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

SKILLED LABOUR MIGRATION FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

Author: Riad khan, Anas Khan, Mohammad Mohabbat Khan, Mohammad Habibur Rahman

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSJ2014v35n4a5

ABSTRACT

Skilled labour migration from developing countries to the developed world has increased exponentially in recent years. The pattern of immigration has changed enormously over the course of time in some particular cases. Developing countries experienced group migration in the form of indentured labourers from 19th century to the First World War. Free migration commenced after this period. The causes of immigration from the developing countries have been attributed to the push and pull factors which are related to economic, political, cultural and the environmental issues. Today, migration has become a social and political phenomenon of major concern to political leaders and policy makers in these countries. Advancements in technology, information and transportation have contributed to the enhanced rate and pace of immigration. This paper examines the impact of skilled labour migration from the developing countries which often played a vital role in supplying labour to the developed world and this is expected to continue. It shows that this phenomenon has social and political impact in sending countries including loss of leadership and educated people, impacting the political process of registering candidature for national elections. The paper, taking up the example of Fiji, argues that the return of migrants with enhanced human capital and technology, remittances, loss of educated people, poor quality of candidates standing for elections and increased indigenous Fijian dominance are some of the social and political impacts of immigration in this particular case.