English - IFAD

210
Rural Poverty Report 2011
migration can be very damaging and contribute to the intergenerational
transmission of poverty. However, in some cases it may lead to better education
opportunities thanks to increased household income – as has sometimes been found
to be the case for young seasonal migrants in parts of Asia. 345 Migrants may also be
subject to abuse and harassment in their host regions, and they often face prejudice
and discrimination.
Circular (or temporary) migration either within-country or to a neighbouring
country is especially accessible to poor rural people, and it is often the kind of
migration that fuels local economic growth. In China, internal migration – especially
of young, low-skilled rural labour to coastal, export-processing industrial cities – has
been a major factor feeding rapid economic growth in the past couple of decades.
Internal migration in the country has grown dramatically in this period of time, but
much of it has a circular character, as rural migrants retain strong links to their
families, and as there are inequalities in citizenship entitlements between rural
migrants and urban populations. 346 In South Asia, low-skilled migrants dominate
seasonal labour flows, mostly from agriculturally backward and poor areas to
increasingly urban centres, industrial zones and coastal areas. High-productivity
agricultural areas continue to be important destinations, but more migrants are opting
for non-farm employment because of greater returns. Unlike in East and South East
Asia, people with limited education dominate seasonal labour flows, and they mostly
find employment in the informal sector. In sub-Saharan Africa, high rates of internal
migration have a long history in many countries, with regional migration occurring
from countries with limited local work opportunities, especially in the Sahel. Even in
the Middle East and North Africa, internal movements are often more significant than
international movements.
There are a range of experiences of migrant support programmes from which
policymakers can draw to design initiatives to make migration (notably internal
migration) more beneficial for poor rural people and to reduce the attached risks.
Migrant support initiatives have typically focused on providing migrants with
information and other kinds of practical support. For instance, the NGO
Tenaganita in Malaysia undertakes research, advocacy and action to prevent, solve
and address abuses of migrants and refugees. In India, the United Kingdom’s
Department for International Development (DFID)-funded Migrant Labour
Support Programme provides information on wages, rights and work availability
to migrants from poor parts of western India. The Aajeevika Bureau and Disha
Foundation have set up migrant support projects offering skills enhancement
training in Rajasthan and help in accessing government schemes in Maharashtra;
both have succeeded in raising the profile of migrant workers and their problems
in policy discussions at the state and national level. There are also initiatives that
have sought to involve policymakers and relevant agencies in better supporting