Today in Ireland this gospel invitation has increasing relevance with the advent of so many migrants to our shores. Examining the migration of peoples (especially women) necessitates looking at the causes of migration, the challenges of migration, as well as some of the problems and outcomes migrant peoples experience in host countries. The welcoming and social integration of migrants is one of the biggest challenges of our time. Globalisation requires international mobility as both the developing and developed countries seek the exchange of skills and labour, yet migrants frequently remain among the most vulnerable, even excluded, groups. The contribution they make to both host countries and countries of origin is often not equated with acknowledgment of their dignity and rights as human persons.
One of the negative effects of globalisation impacting on migration is poverty. The 80/20 divide, where 80% of the world’s population have to live on 20% of its resources which means that a fifth of the world’s population lives on less than a dollar a day and almost half on less than two dollars, causes peoples to seek a better way of life elsewhere. While free trade has benefited wealthy corporations it is often at the expense of developing countries which, together with huge debt obligations, mean that social spending is reduced by governments in developing countries thereby causing people to migrate for survival.
There are many different types of migration, temporary, permanent, irregular, labour, forced, and conflict induced migration. Many people move in search of opportunities, decent work and human security. Some migrants also leave their countries due to political persecution, war, economic devastation and climate change effects. Those who are fleeing persecution, as asylum seekers, face mighty challenges trying to obtain refugees status and often endure intolerable lengthy delays in the processing of their applications. They live in a kind of limbo in the interim and many applications are refused but that is for another article ! !
Social inclusion/integration is about valuing differences and cultural diversity and not about assimilation. It is a two way process of mutual accommodation between immigrants and indigenous populations based on the principles of inclusion, active participation, interculturalism and human rights. Three central aspects are : equal participation, equal rights and duties and inclusive, anti-discriminatory measures involving both immigrants and host society. Welcoming migrants is an appreciation of interdependence and our shared humanity. Effective participation encompasses the economic, social, and political life of the ‘new comers’ and needs to be addressed by the host communities rather than left to chance. Due to lack of planning and awareness what often happens is the development of segregated groups, exploitation of migrant workers, disregard of fundamental rights and freedom e.g. restricted (or no) access to housing, work, education, health, social welfare benefits, training etc., cultural diminishment, social marginalisation e.g. not ‘belonging’ and, for an increasing number in Ireland, destitution! Despite the fact that there are many international pieces of legislation governing the above issues few are ever contested it in court for various reasons. Frequently migrants lack awareness of their rights, encounter language and communication barriers, experience restrictions on access to social programmes and welfare, have limited access to goods and services, lack social/extended family networks, have limited legal protection, and are subject to stereotyping and biased media reporting often leading to discrimination.
The gender dimension of migration is generally not taken into account in integration policies – migration is not a gender- neutral process of movement, but is quite gender specific and can result in different outcomes for men and women. Women have always migrated but previously it was largely related to family reunification or depended on a male migrant. Whereas nowadays women are moving as migrants in their own right. This internationalisation and feminisation of migration has contributed positively to social, economic and cultural changes in many parts of the globe in some instances women have been able to improve their lives and the lives of their families. In other cases female migrants have experienced racial and gender inequalities and are generally represented in the most marginalised and lowest paid jobs. Women’s migration is risky and open to exploitation. Poor working conditions, trafficking for sexual exploitation and forced labour are outcomes of the demand for care and domestic workers, and a global market increase in demand for entertainment, hospitality and sex industry workers which makes such women and children the most vulnerable of all migrants and in need of the greatest protection by host countries. I recently attended a partnership meeting in Belfast where the topic was ‘ Destitution and Migration: Who cares?’
Helena Daly rsm
Northern Province
