Social inclusion of migrant workers in a pandemic: employing consumer vulnerability lens to internal Indian migrant experience

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Archana Preeti Voola ◽  
Subhasis Ray ◽  
Ranjit Voola
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Migrant Worker ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Migrant ◽  
Consumer Vulnerability ◽  
And Control

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to expand the theoretical understanding of social inclusion of vulnerable populations. Employing cross disciplinary literature from marketing and social policy, this paper examines the factors shaping internal migrant workers experience of inclusion and vulnerability in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a review of social inclusion and consumer vulnerability literature to develop a new and innovative conceptual framework which operationalises social inclusion. This framework was then examined using an illustrative case study of internal migrant worker crisis in India. Data for the case were collected from various national and international media, government and non-government reports published in English on the pandemic related migrant crisis in India.FindingsAccess and control over food was fraught with barriers for migrant workers. As the lockdown progressed, access to and control over work opportunities was precarious. Furthermore, the resource-control constraints faced by migrant workers in terms of food, work and transport had a direct impact on their experience of social inclusion. Lastly, the stranded migrant workers found themselves unable to fully participate in economic activities.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge this is the first paper that integrates consumer vulnerability concept, originating in marketing scholarship into the social inclusion framework. This allowed for anchoring the “aspirational goals” of social inclusion into the concrete context of consumers and marketplaces.

International capital inflows and labour immigration

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 1420-1438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn S. Devadason ◽  
Thirunaukarasu Subramaniam
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Migrant Worker ◽  
Policy Coordination ◽  
Output Growth ◽  
Trade Theory ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Fdi Inflows ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Cointegration Tests

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between inward foreign direct investment (FDI) and unskilled immigrants for a panel of 23 manufacturing industries in Malaysia, spanning the period 1985-2009. Design/methodology/approach The paper establishes the causal FDI-immigrant links within a multivariate model framework for the period 2000-2009, and in a univariate context for 1985-1999 and 1985-2009. Findings Based on heterogeneous panel cointegration tests, there is a long-run equilibrium between inward FDI, unskilled migrant share, output growth, export intensity and market concentration. The long-run cointegrating coefficient based on the fully modified least squares estimator suggests the presence of unskilled migrant workers a significant location determinant for inward FDI for the first sub-period and the overall period. The results of the panel vector error correction model further attest to causal links between unskilled migrant worker presence and inward FDI in the short- and long run. Bidirectional causality between inward capital and labour flows is present in the first sub-period and unidirectional causal links from unskilled migrants to inward FDI is evident for the overall period. Research limitations/implications The observed FDI-immigration (unskilled) links in manufacturing support the argument that inward FDI is induced by unskilled migration. The study reveals that unskilled immigration increases FDI inflows or rather “capital chases labour” in terms of international factor mobility. Practical implications This has profound implications for public policy as the government seeks to reduce its dependence on migrant workers. Policy coordination is therefore needed between regulating inflows of foreign capital and foreign labour so that implemented policies do not pull in different directions and undermine Malaysia’s attractiveness as a destination for FDI. Originality/value The large presence of unskilled migrants, an intrinsic characteristic (based on the new trade theory that includes factor endowments) of Malaysia, seems to be largely ignored when explaining FDI inflows to manufacturing, particularly so when the siting of MNCs in this sector have traditionally been in light scale manufacturing.

Effects of family encouragement on migrant workers’ return-to-hometown intention and turnover

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-185
Author(s):  
Guoliang Li ◽  
Yanran Fang ◽  
Yifan Song ◽  
Jingqiu Chen ◽  
Mo Wang
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Migrant Worker ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Chinese Economy ◽  
Family Needs ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Given migrant workers’ critical role in the Chinese economy, the increasing number of migrant workers who leave their organizations and return to their hometown has caused severe socioeconomic issues in China. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to migrant worker literature by revealing the micro-mechanism underlying migrant workers’ return-to-hometown intention and turnover. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from a convenience sample from seven Chinese companies that employed migrant workers (n=147). The authors used path analysis to test the hypotheses. Findings Migrant workers’ family encouragement of returning to hometown was positively related to their return-to-hometown intention, which subsequently predicted their turnover decision in six months. Further, migrant workers’ perceived career sacrifice associated with returning to hometown weakened the effect of family encouragement to return. Practical implications For organizations that need to retain migrant workers, the findings indicate that it is particularly important to take migrant workers’ family needs and their career-related concerns into account. For migrant workers, the study highlights the importance of assessing gains and losses in the process of making turnover-related decisions. Originality/value This study contributes to migrant worker literature by investigating psychological processes underlying migrant workers return-to-hometown intention and the subsequent turnover from a micro perspective.

scholarly journals The boundary of sustainability reporting: evidence from the FTSE100

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Miles ◽  
Kate Ringham
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Impression Management ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Reputation Management ◽  
Management Theory ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Boundary Setting ◽  
And Control

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to use a multi-disciplinary theoretical understanding of boundary setting to develop a quadripartite model in which sustainability reporting boundaries are classified as “Reputation Management”, “Ownership and Control”, “Accountability”; and, “Stakeholder Engagement”. Content analysis is then used to empirically test the model. Design/methodology/approach Using impression management theory, rationalism, systems and contingency theory, and network theory, a model is created which classifies sustainability reporting boundaries. Content analysis is used to empirically test boundaries across the disclosure of 49 GRI topics by the FTSE100. Findings Sustainability reporting fails to discharge accountability due to adoption of narrow “Reputation Management” boundaries. Boundaries are significantly (p<0.0001) narrower than previous research suggests. Findings support impression management theory as the strongest theory to predict reporting content. An ownership and control boundary, although widely criticized, represents the boundary of progressive reporters, lending marginal support for economic theories. Accountability boundaries are scarce. No evidence was found for stakeholder engagement boundaries. Practical implications The determination of boundary is critical to the discharge of accountability. A critical consideration of boundary setting is required, including authentic stakeholder engagement in determining boundaries and transparency of boundary adopted. The results are ranked to enable benchmarking of the FTSE100. Boundaries can be widened through regulation or “name and shame campaigns”. Originality/value This paper provides a theory-informed advancement in thinking on sustainability reporting boundary setting and the importance of this for advancing sustainability reporting quality.

South-east Asia will remain reliant on foreign labour

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Human Trafficking ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Foreign Workers ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Migrant ◽  
Foreign Labour ◽  
Return Home

Subject Impact of COVID-19 on South-east Asia's labour flows. Significance While South-east Asian publics have struggled under the constraints of COVID-19 lockdowns, outbreaks of the disease among foreign labourers have prompted an increase in xenophobia. The region’s governments are coming under pressure to reduce labour migration from abroad. Impacts Testing of foreign workers for COVID-19 will accelerate in several South-east Asian countries. Human trafficking will increase as undocumented foreign workers use illegal channels to return home. In many of the region's countries, unemployment could rise among internal migrant workers as well as foreign labourers.

Information grounds as a vehicle for social inclusion of domestic migrant workers in Israel

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 934-952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Bronstein
Keyword(s):  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Migratory Movements ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Precarious Situation

Purpose Economic adversity, geopolitical, and climate crises leading to the lack of decent and sustainable work are resulting in growing and diverse migratory movements. The precarious situation of many migrant workers in their countries of employment results in a state of social exclusion due to a lack of access to relevant information sources. The purpose of this paper is to further the understanding of the information behavior of migrants by examining the role that La Escuelita, a Hebrew night school for domestic migrant workers in Israel, plays as an information ground helping migrants struggling with social exclusion. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology was used and data were collected using participation observation over a three-months period. Eight students at the school were interviewed using in-depth interviews. Findings La Escuelita served as a vehicle for social inclusion by providing valuable everyday information to the students in a caring environment. Information was shared in multiple directions between both the staff and the students and between the students. Language barriers were revealed as one of the main factors for social exclusion. Findings revealed that although the migrant workers who study at La Escuelita are information poor regarding their struggle for social inclusion into Israeli society, they wish to learn Hebrew as a way to overcome this exclusion. Originality/value Understanding the information behavior of marginalized populations is the first step into designing and implementing information services to help them toward social inclusion. This research presents an innovative contribution by examining the significance and roles of social connections in the setting of a unique information environment.

scholarly journals The workplace meal: a migrant workers' perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-375
Author(s):  
Hande Turkoglu ◽  
Lorraine Brown ◽  
Philippa Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Migrant Worker ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Food Culture ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Country Food ◽  
Food Offering

PurposeEmployees eat at least one meal per day in the workplace on a regular basis, carrying implications for their physical and emotional well-being. For migrants, this can be challenging, owing to food culture differences. This study explores migrant workers’ perceptions of the food eaten in the hospitality workplace.Design/methodology/approachEleven in-depth, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were carried out with migrant workers in three- and four-star hotels in the southwest of England.FindingsThe findings show that the food eaten in the workplace is perceived as unhealthy and fattening and therefore unappealing. This partly informs a decision to eat home country food away from work.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is needed across many more organisations to investigate whether this would actually have the positive impact on employee well-being (migrant or home national) and employer reputation.Practical implicationsProviding additional “off-menu” meals for migrant employees is recognised. However, staff turnover within the hotel environment may mean that dishes acceptable to one nationality may not be acceptable to another. Alternatively, it may be that attention to such details and the provision of a food offering that is seen as fit for purpose by staff may reduce turnover and demonstrate “care” on the part of the employer. An annual staff survey could be conducted to gauge employee opinion.Social implicationsThis study helps to show the significance of food for migrant well-being. It highlights that in increasingly globalised workplaces, food provision is important for both emotional and physical health. The study's findings have relevance to other multicultural workplaces where the food provided to staff may have consequences for employee well-being.Originality/valueLittle research has focused on the link between the food consumed in the hospitality workplace and migrant worker well-being. This study therefore makes an important contribution to knowledge by exploring feelings about the food eaten at work from the perspective of migrant workers themselves.

Festivals and re-ethnicization of China’s Miao migrant community

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Siu-woo Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Cultural Identity ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Migrant Worker ◽  
Guizhou Province ◽  
Host Society ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Migrant Communities ◽  
Institutional Embeddedness

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the efforts of an ethnic Miao migrant worker association to recreate and engage with festivals both in the host society of the Pearl River Delta and back home in Southeastern Guizhou province of Southwest China. It analyzes how and under what conditions the disadvantaged migrant workers collectively demonstrate and assert their cultural identity in festival activities, rekindling and strengthening their ethnic consciousness. Design/methodology/approach Based on ethnographic field data, this study focuses on the connections between migrant workers’ lives in modern host societies and their traditional culture back home. Special attention is paid to the temporal dynamics of migrant workers’ cultural identity and socio-economic development. Findings The leaders of the Miao migrants’ association created network linkages to channel the flow of labor, capital and culture between the host society and the migrants’ hometown, and made efforts to secure institutional embeddedness at both ends of the flow. Their use of festivals and related heritage as cultural capital has facilitated the cultivation of network linkages and institutional embeddedness for economic advancement and overcoming ethnic prejudices and institutional disadvantages. Originality/value By illustrating how the economic development has been imbricated with culture, this research enhances understanding about the role of network linkage and institutional embeddedness in the flow of labor, capital and culture between host society and home place of migrant communities.

scholarly journals Self-Reliant Farming and Employment Opportunities for Migrant Workers Relating COVID-19 Post-Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna Gopal Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Infectious Virus ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Internal Migrant ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
The World ◽  
Place Of Origin ◽  
The Government ◽  
Made In

There has been an unprecedented crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The human witnessed significant changes in all spheres of activities in the society. There was complete, partial or intermittent lockdown all over the world to contain this infectious virus. People confined themselves mostly at home, and about 60% of economic activities was disrupted. The growth in the economy slowed down. Millions of international and internal migrant workers returned to their place of origin and again resuming works. To return to the economic normalcy, challenges would be to cope up with problems of migrant workers, protecting their livelihoods and providing income through employment to avert destabilizing effects. There is a need for strategic approaches and effective policies to strengthen self-sufficiency and self-reliance among returnees, and the farmers with the support of the Government and other agencies. Thus, attempts have been made in this paper to make an account on the migrant workers, to elucidate the COVID-19 impacts on them, to appraise major strategies and policy recommendations to strengthen self-reliant farming, rural development and re-employment.

The politics of consent in the casino economy

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 408-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex H. Choi
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Migrant Worker ◽  
Migration Policy ◽  
Reform Process ◽  
Wealth Accumulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Working Classes ◽  
Capitalist State ◽  
The Government ◽  
Pluralist Approach

Purpose Accompanying the casino liberalization in Macau has been the massive increase in the importation of migrant workers to drive the labour-intensive, service-oriented economic growth there. Nevertheless, the employment of migrant workers has become an intensely contentious issue. The traditional pluralist approach to migration policy has highlighted a mismatch between restrictive policy pronouncements and actual expansive outcomes. This mismatch has resonated strongly in Macau, where the number of migrant workers skyrocketed in the last decade in spite of repeated guarantees from the government of the adoption of a protectionist labour policy. The pluralist approach has attributed the mismatch to strong constituencies supporting more immigration. The purpose of this paper is to dispute this and maintain that the Macau Government is a capitalist state committed to increasing labour importation to facilitate wealth accumulation. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a qualitative approach based on extensive research of news and media reports, facilitated by a close observation of political developments. Findings The Macau Government started, in 2005, to talk about reforming its labour importation programme by adding a migrant worker levy, a ratio mechanism and a six-month waiting period. This paper investigates how the capitalist state navigated the reform process by promising changes and building consent with the working classes. The author maintains that “a game of protection” has been constructed and played to secure the consent of the local working classes for the migrant worker programme. Originality/value Very little literature is available that has studied the changes made to the migrant worker system in Macau. This paper will help to close this gap.

Alternative forms of media, ICTs, and underprivileged groups in China

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1221-1236
Author(s):  
Siyuan Yin
Keyword(s):  
Social Change ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Migrant Worker ◽  
Alternative Media ◽  
Media Production ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Transformative Potential

This article discusses uses of alternative forms of media and information communication technologies (ICTs) by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and advocacy organizations for underprivileged and marginalized groups in China, specifically rural-to-urban migrant workers. Drawing from the conceptual framework of alternative media and ICTs for social change, I analyze a local NGO’s community newspaper for migrant workers and an online advocacy media organization targeting female migrant workers. The two cases present sustainable and organized modes of alternative media production that enable deliberative spaces for migrant workers’ collective expression. Analyzing semi-structured interviews with editors and migrant worker-authors, as well as published articles and reader responses, I examine thematic content and processes of production and distribution. Migrant workers’ articulations through alternative media constitute a daily mode of activism and resistance. Demonstrating that communal and organizational support can mobilize underprivileged groups to participate in alternative and collective media production for social inclusion and equality, the study considers the transformative potential of alternative media and ICTs. I argue that such transformative potential should not be taken for granted. Integrating local conditions into analysis is crucial to clarifying how, and with what constraints, alternative forms of media and ICTs may contribute to social change.

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