Hindu Editorial Analysis : 4-October-2023

Circular migration, a recurring pattern where individuals move back and forth between their home country and a destination country based on job availability, has become a prominent aspect of global migration. Unlike permanent or temporary migration, circular migration involves short-term moves in response to employment opportunities. This phenomenon, prevalent among low-income groups, gained momentum in the 1960s and 1970s with the rise of globalization, improved transportation, and multinational corporations.

Defining Circular Migration

Circular migration is characterized by several key factors:

  • Temporary residence in the destination location
  • Possibility of multiple entries into the destination country
  • Freedom of movement between the country of origin and destination during the period of residence
  • Legal right to stay in the destination country
  • Protection of migrants’ rights
  • Healthy demand for temporary labor in the destination country

Individuals completing at least ‘two loops’ between two countries are identified as circular migrants.

Circular Migration as Public Policy

As migration debates intensify globally, circular migration emerges as a viable solution to address the challenges posed by traditional migration patterns. Brain drain, where skilled individuals leave their home countries, and strains on urban infrastructure due to rural-urban migration, highlight the complexities of migration policies. Circular migration offers a balanced approach, considering the needs of both sending and receiving nations.

  • Benefits for Sending Countries:
    • Flow of remittances boosts domestic economy
    • Influx of foreign capital enhances infrastructure and job opportunities
    • Potential for brain circulation rather than brain drain
  • Challenges for Host Countries:
    • Dearth of low-income, low-skill jobs filled by migrants
    • Cultural conflicts and anxieties in host populations
    • Circular migration mitigates these concerns, promoting brain circulation and reducing negative effects.
Circular Migration in India: A Case Study

In India, internal migration, especially from rural areas to urban centers, has primarily followed a circular pattern. Rapid urbanization and employment opportunities in manufacturing, construction, and services sectors led to a significant influx of migrants. States like West Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar witnessed high rates of outmigration, primarily to Delhi and southern states. Reports indicate that women in migrant families gain autonomy due to the absence of men.

Issues and Challenges

However, circular migration in India is not without its challenges:

  • Exploitative Conditions: Migrants, especially in states with language barriers, often face exploitation by middlemen, leading to unhygienic and unsafe working conditions.
  • Conflict with Local Workers: Indigenous wage groups and unions resent migrants, considering them threats to job security due to their willingness to work for lower wages.
  • Limited Economic Progress: Circular migration often results in subsistence living, with migrants barely meeting basic needs, leaving no room for savings or asset creation.
Why In News

Circular migration, 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, not only facilitates economic opportunities but also fosters cultural exchange between nations, promoting a richer global understanding.

MCQs about Circular Migration

  1. What characterizes circular migration?
    A. Permanent settlement in the destination country
    B. Temporary residence in the destination location, with freedom to move between countries
    C. Limited movement with no legal rights in the destination country
    D. One-time migration for job opportunities
    Correct Answer: B. Temporary residence in the destination location, with freedom to move between countries
    Explanation: Circular migration involves temporary residence in the destination location, allowing individuals to move freely between the country of origin and the destination country during their period of stay.
  2. Why is circular migration considered a balanced approach?
    A. It leads to permanent settlement, ensuring stability for migrants
    B. It promotes brain drain, benefiting the receiving country
    C. It addresses the economic needs of both sending and receiving nations
    D. It restricts movement, ensuring cultural preservation
    Correct Answer: C. It addresses the economic needs of both sending and receiving nations
    Explanation: Circular migration strikes a balance by fulfilling the economic requirements of both sending and receiving nations, promoting development without causing significant brain drain or cultural conflicts.
  3. What challenges do circular migrants face in India?
    A. Limited access to education and healthcare
    B. Language barriers and exploitation by middlemen
    C. Discrimination based on ethnicity
    D. Lack of job opportunities in urban areas
    Correct Answer: B. Language barriers and exploitation by middlemen
    Explanation: Circular migrants in India often confront language barriers and exploitation by intermediaries, leading to unhygienic and unsafe working conditions.
  4. How does circular migration impact the autonomy of women in migrant families?
    A. It restricts their freedom, leading to cultural conflicts
    B. It has no impact on their autonomy
    C. It enhances their decision-making power due to the absence of men
    D. It isolates them from the community, reducing their influence
    Correct Answer: C. It enhances their decision-making power due to the absence of men
    Explanation: Circular migration can empower women within migrant families as the absence of men often leads to increased autonomy and decision-making power within the family unit.

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