Circular Migration
Circular migration is the temporary and usually repetitive movement of a migrant worker between home and host areas.
It represents an established pattern of population mobility, whether cross-country or rural-urban.
Circular migrants spend a certain period of time in working country, and then return to their home country for a period of time and repeat.
Circular migration is a common phenomenon in many parts of the world.
Policy Implications with Circular Migration
Increasing fluid movement of people, policy around migration is one of the biggest debates in the world.
The movement of citizens from the Global South to the West in search of more employment opportunities or a better standard of living creates brain drain.
Policies for migrants:
Flexible visa regimes :Visa regimes should be designed to allow migrants to enter and exit the host country easily and frequently.
Remittances: Host countries can provide support to migrants to send remittances back to their home country.
Integration support: Host countries can provide integration support to migrants to help them adjust to life in the host country.
Policies for host countries
Labor market regulation: Host countries can regulate the labor market to ensure that migrant workers are treated fairly and that they do not undercut the wages of local workers.
Social protection: Host countries can provide social protection to migrant workers, such as access to healthcare and education. This can help to reduce poverty and inequality among migrant workers.
Circular Migration in India
In India, internal migration, which is 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.
This has led to rural populations and their economy dwindling and urban spaces, while booming, witnessing infrastructural collapse as they are unable to properly house incoming populations.
The uneven development post-liberalisation, has led to a lot of inter-State migration, with States like West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar.
Circular Migration in India
Rural migrants were occupied in agricultural jobs in their origin States; and when they migrated a majority of them were engaged in low-skill jobs.
The positive outcomes of such inter-State migration include increased access to higher paying jobs when compared to origin States.
Importance of addressing the rights and well-being of circular migrant.
Circular migrants make significant contributions to both their home and host countries.
They send remittances back home, which can help to boost the economies of sending countries.
They are human beings who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect..
Provide flexible visa regimes that allow circular migrants to enter and exit the host country easily and frequently.
Provide social protection to circular migrants, such as access to healthcare and education.
Importance of addressing the rights and well-being of circular migrant.
Implement integration policies to help circular migrants integrate into society.
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