With reference to empirical examples, explore the everyday activities of different groups of migrant workers in (re)producing processes of globalisation

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 With reference to empirical examples, explore the everyday activities of different groups of migrant workers in (re)producing processes of ‘globalisation’.

Globalisation is most commonly known as the process that combines international practices, falling into various strands consisting of  “politics, economics and culture as well as mediated communications” as stated by Marsella and Ring (in Kofman and Youngs, 2003: 3). There are many definitions of globalization that are widely recognized in our present day, the most common, which I will be referring to in this essay, being that of greater economic integration by the increased unity of our world, also known as ‘Economic Globalisation’. Harrison (2007:35) refers to Economic Globalisation as “increases in trade, foreign investment, and migration” and according to the Global Education Program, within the past few years, the improvement of technologies and ‘reduction of barriers’ has meant that the level of exchange between people and countries in terms of ‘goods, services, knowledge and cultures’ is ever increasing at speedy rates. As migration falls into a factor of economic globalization, in this essay, I plan to explore how migration influences globalization and the impact it is having on the migrants themselves, also taking into account the social dimension of globalization in terms of how it affects the migrant’s identities socially and culturally.

Being one of the most passionately debated issues in politics today, Globalization is often split in outlook, with those ‘for’ and those ‘against’ the phenomena. The positive believers of Globalization argue it is the foundation for solving problems of high unemployment and poverty worldwide, whilst others believe it is rather the catalyst of these issues. In terms of the benefits of Globalisation on an international scale, Dinello and Squire (2005; xv) states “the proponents of globalization often point to its three-fold beneficial impact, with positive implications for equity: 1) stimulating trade and economic growth, 2) reducing poverty without rise in inequality and 3) contributing to economic and political stability…”and statistics provided strongly support these claims. For example, Uganda in 1990 had its poverty rates fall by around 40 per cent whilst its rate of school enrolment doubled in numbers (Dinello and Squire, 2005:xv). However, those who are “anti-Globalisation” equate the process as having negative impacts such as inequality by only creating economic growth in selected countries as well as increasing the rate of vulnerability in countries and people. Used as an example is China, which has had a remarkable success since entry into the ‘global economy’’, however, this success has been accompanied by an “unparalleled rise in the country’s within-country inequality” (Dinello and Squire, 2005:xvi)

Migration, as stated by Marsella and Ring  (in Adler and Gielen, 2008:11), refers to “the act or process by which people, especially as a group, move from one location…to another” being a procedure that has been an ‘inherent part of human existence’ from early centuries, it is now a central form of our ‘global flow of persons, goods, practices and ideas’. According to the International Organization of Migration (IOM) migration is currently viewed as being one of the most ‘defining global issues’ in our present day, with around 192 million people living outside their place of birth in 2005, accounting to be roughly 3 percent of the worlds overall population. The annual growth rate of migration being around 2.9 percent, however, it should be noted that this rate has stayed constant over the past 30 years (Van Hear, N. and Nyberg-Sørensen, N, 2006). In continuation, an important factor that Marsella and Ring (2008) raise is the ideology that the movement of migration arises from what can be referred to as “push and pull” factors. Putting it into perspective, the pull factors of migration being the option of ‘new possibilities, ’rewards’ and ‘hope’ as a majority of migrants leave their country of origin to increase their economic prospects and be reacquainted with family and friends. On the other hand, the push factors, which cause migrants to leave their home countries being that of “a sense of danger, discontentment and boredom” or avoiding dangers of persecution in their home countries (in Adler and Gielen, 2008:11).  Van Hear, N. and Nyberg-Sørensen, N (2003: 51) state “The ratio of real income per head in the richest countries to the poorest rose from 10:1 in 1900 to 60:1 by 2000. Such disparities in living standards and the lack of development options in developing countries are at the root of much migration.”

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Western Europe, North America and Australia are more recognized as the preferred locations by all migrants ranging from the lower class, asylum seekers and skilled professionals. However, despite migrants personal beliefs of achieving better lives, historically, migratory workers are most typically known to have very low economic status due to their low pay, often living in ghettos and suffering from relative poverty due to migrants being “sources of cheap labour”, vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and mistreatment (Adler and Gielen, 2008:11). Frequently, workers from developing countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam are lured to developed countries with the illusions of being ...

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