Archive for category: Migration

,

Migration to Malta: Challenges and Opportunities

migration to maltaMigration to Malta has shaped the island’s social and economic landscape in recent years. As a small island nation in the Mediterranean, Malta has witnessed a significant influx of migrants, leading to profound demographic changes, economic shifts, and societal challenges. Understanding how these migration trends relate to poverty and access to essential resources, is crucial for shaping Malta’s future.

Migration Trends in Malta

According to official data, Malta’s population reached 563,443 at the end of 2023, reflecting a 4% increase from the previous year. Net migration predominantly drove this growth, with non-EU citizens accounting for 93.1% of new arrivals. Eurostat recorded Malta as having the highest immigration rate in the EU in 2022, with almost 66 migrants for every 1,000 residents.

This trend reflects a broader global context where nations across Europe face rising migration, driven by both economic disparities and humanitarian crises. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Malta hosts more than 11,000 refugees and 2,000 asylum seekers who are mainly from Ukraine, Libya, Syria, Sudan and Bangladesh.

For Malta, migrants have contributed to a younger demographic profile compared to the aging local population. While the old-age dependency ratio for Maltese citizens has risen, migrants have helped offset this demographic challenge, as demonstrated by their declining old-age dependency ratio.

Migration and Poverty

According to WHO, Malta has limited resources coming from its small size, but it also offers seamless health care services to refugees and migrants from the moment they arrive, according to Dr Valeska Padovese, Special Advisor on Migrant Health Migration.

Malta has a complex relationship with poverty. Although poverty indicators are generally below the EU average, specific groups such as non-EU nationals and the elderly, particularly women are disproportionately affected. Moreover, migrants often experience unstable jobs, harsh conditions, and limited housing access.

Migration to Malta has undoubtedly placed a strain on the island’s infrastructure and social services. Over-construction, inflated housing prices and resource allocation are pressing issues that demand strategic planning and investment. Despite these difficulties, migration offers opportunities. Migrants contribute to the economy, offset demographic challenges and enrich Maltese society with cultural diversity.

Access to Water

As a water-scarce nation, Malta’s reliance on desalination and groundwater sources presents challenges in meeting the growing demand from an expanding population. According to the Energy and Water Agency, a governmental agency of Malta, freshwater resources are a long-standing challenge, compounded by the small size of the island and high population density.

Additionally, Euronews reported Malta’s scarce natural resources could worsen due to climate change and mass tourism over the years.

To tackle these issues, Malta follows the EU’s Water Framework Directive, which aims to ensure an adequate quantity and quality of water. This involves expanding the water supply through non-conventional methods like seawater desalination, wastewater reuse, and rainwater harvesting.

A Positive Note: Charitable Efforts

Amid these challenges, several charitable organizations are stepping up to support migrants and vulnerable populations. One notable example is the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Malta, which provides legal assistance, psychological support and integration programs for refugees and asylum seekers.

Another organization, the Migrant Women Association Malta, focuses on empowering migrant women through skills training and community support. These efforts reflect a growing movement within Malta to address migration-related challenges with compassion and innovation.

Migration to Malta is a multifaceted issue, intertwining economic opportunities with social challenges. While it has brought significant demographic and economic benefits, addressing poverty and resource allocation is crucial for sustainable growth. With continued commitment from policymakers, community organisations, and society at large, Malta can turn these challenges into opportunities, building a more inclusive and resilient nation.

– Arianna Distefano

Arianna is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

, ,

Migrant Workers in the UAE

Migrant Workers in the UAEThe population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has rapidly grown alongside its economy in recent years. With a population of approximately 10 million, 87.9% of the UAE’s total population are international migrants as of July 2020. As the UAE has become a hub for tourism, real estate and more, migrants worldwide have relocated to the country. About 38% of migrants are from India, 10% from Bangladesh, 10% from Egypt, 9% from Pakistan and 6% from the Philippines.

Economic Dependency on Migrant Workers in the UAE

According to the Migration Policy Institute, the UAE “has become a popular destination for temporary labor migrants seeking employment opportunities and higher standards of living.” Attracting low and high-skilled workers, migrants make up more than 90% of the private workforce in the UAE. Government systems, like the Kafala Sponsorship System, have incentivized companies to hire international migrants. However, the Kafala Sponsorship System has been controversial, leading to the abuse of many migrant workers.

The Kafala Sponsorship System

The Kafala System allows migrant workers an opportunity for financial security in a new chapter of their lives in return for providing labor to an oil-driven economy. However, many private companies have used this to their advantage, becoming a stemming point for human rights abuses. With workers’ residential and employment status dependent upon their sponsor’s jurisdiction, workers have little power to move jobs, challenge unpaid wages and fight against unsafe workplace conditions.

With little mobility in their choice of work, quitting or resigning from a job is an offense that can lead to the termination of sponsorship and deportation. As a result, many domestic workers excluded from labor laws in the UAE become trapped in the Kafala System with no legal path out. In recent years, the UAE government has passed laws to address the flaws in the Kafala system. These new laws include prohibiting the confiscation of an employee’s documents and introducing wage protection measures. While human rights groups have found that work-right abuses are still vibrant, the potential for a flawless Kafala System has become a hope for the future.

Economic Benefit

The UAE has become a popular migration hub due to the economic opportunity the country presents. The country’s tax-friendly laws, such as no personal income tax, have made it attractive for everyone. With the extra money, many migrant workers can send remittances back to their families in their home country. Once financially able, families of migrants are relocated to the UAE to be reunited with family, furthering the UAE economy.

Conclusion on Migrant Workers in the UAE

Due to economic development, the rapid migration to the UAE has caused many migrant workers to be exploited under the UAE’s lack of labor laws. With major flaws in government systems, many migrant workers are stuck in inhuman situations that are at the discretion of their sponsoring company. The government is actively working to pass laws in hopes of reforming systems like the Kafala Sponsorship System. However, migration to the country has not slowed in recent years and many migrants risk employment imprisonment.

– Naseem Rahman

Naseem is based in Staten Island, NY, USA and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

, ,

Migration to Syria: The Challenges Migrating Syrians Face

Migration to Syria
More than 125,000 Syrians have migrated to Syria after 13 years of war. Many have come back to a country that destruction and death has devastated, a country which has endured the dictatorship of Bashar Al-Assad.

According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), at least 580,000 people have died since the start of the war. Under the regime, many citizens and journalists have been kidnapped, injured or killed.

The fall of Assad has meant many Syrians have felt compelled to return to their home country, now it is free from his regime. These migrating Syrians face many challenges and must navigate multiple factors that influence their return, or whether they will return now or later. Here is more information about migration to Syria.

Host Countries are Eager to Facilitate Migration to Syria

Many host countries, such as Turkey respectively, are eagerly promoting Syrian migration. This has meant measures, such as Turkey reopening its Yayladagi border gate in order to “to prevent any congestion and ease traffic,” and make migration easier for most Syrians.

Humanitarian Emergency 

The main obstacles returning Syrians face are access to water, food and safe shelter. According to the UN, nearly 15 million Syrians require medical aid and 13 million are suffering through food insecurity. The war severely damaged essential infrastructure like hospitals, farmlands and shops. Mrinalini Santhanam from the WHO has said “Almost half of the hospitals in Syria are not functional.” However, there is still hope they can rebuild despite the current state of the country.  

The IOM has appealed for $73 million to assist the Syrian population. Since December 2024, the IOM has supplied 170,000 Syrians with clean water. The IOM aims to use the money to provide essential relief items to returning and displaced Syrians, like shelters, sanitation and health support. It also aims to apply its Displacement Tracking Matrix, a tool that analyzes data around displaced persons, in order to ensure that aid workers can provide more efficient and suitable support to Syrians.

According to the UNCHR, 90% of Syrians rely on humanitarian aid. Short term goals of providing aid will, in turn, support the long-term goal of rebuilding Syria into the thriving, beautiful country it once was. UNCHR is supporting this by providing shelters, cash and education programs for Syrians returning and those who the war displaced.

Overhauling Sanctions 

The global community can assist in achieving this goal of peace not only through providing aid but also in lifting sanctions. These sanctions had been placed upon Assad’s regime, not the current government. Therefore, they arguably are not providing any productive purpose.

Syrian Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak stated that “a smooth end to sanctions, appropriate action on designations too, and major funding” was necessary, claiming that such sanctions don’t apply to the current authority and impede the efforts to rebuild.

The EU has responded to this issue by agreeing to lift some sanctions. These include sanctions that had been placed on the “energy and […] financial institutions,” according to France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. This gradual removal of sanctions may help catalyze Syria’s growth by aiding the economy.

Most people migrating back to Syria plan to overcome the issue of a stunted economy by subsisting on money earned in the neighboring countries they once lived in. The UNCHR has reported that increasingly the demographic of returning Syrians are women and children. Reports have said that some families plan to leave the breadwinner of the family in the host country. This would enable the breadwinner to work and earn money that the family can use to successfully readapt into Syrian society.

Cultural Reintegration

Another issue that returning Syrians may face is how their experiences in host countries will influence how well they adjust back to Syrian society. This especially applies to children of Syrians, children who may have had little to no knowledge of or attachment to the country their parents were born in. Muhammed Salih Ali, head of the Association for Solidarity with Syrian Refugees in Izmir, Turkey, said it would be “very difficult for this generation to return.” 

The Future 

Despite the numerous hurdles that Syria faces, the unbridled support from NGOs and the determination of its people will help restore the country and give peace to its citizens. The steady increase of migration to Syria clearly shows that Syrians are resolute to return home to a country they deeply care about. 

– Maryam Abdalla

Maryam is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

, ,

Migration to Guyana

Migration to GuyanaGuyana has entered a pivotal economic development thanks to its emerging oil and gas sector, which increased its gross domestic product (GDP) by 32.2% in 2023 alone. This development has been attracting migrants from neighboring countries, mainly from Venezuela, where a political crisis has caused almost eight million Venezuelans to emigrate abroad. However, migrants in Guyana still face significant barriers to integrating into the workforce and broader society.

An Overview

  • Guyana discovered offshore oil reserves in 2015, with production starting in 2019. With a population of only 800,000 (about one-third of which live below the poverty line), one of the most impoverished countries in South America is now one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. This is making Guyana an attractive destination for economic migrants.
  • Venezuelan political refugees make up the largest migrant group. Many have settled in Guyana’s rural areas, particularly the Indigenous Warao people.
  • Although Guyana offers legal stay permits, health care and education regardless of a migrant’s status, the country is not a signatory of the United Nations’ (U.N.) 1951 Refugee Convention or the Complementary provisions of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention on Migrant Workers. This denies Venezuelans refugee status and exposes migrants in Guyana to a greater risk of exploitation and informal work.
  • A Regional Migration Policy for Caribbean countries is set to launch in 2025 to address new migration trends. 

Why Is Migration to Guyana Increasing?

The country’s growing oil and gas sector demands a larger workforce and both Guyanese and foreign nationals respond positively. In the year following the discovery of oil reserves, Guyana experienced more people entering than leaving the country. This trend is set to increase throughout the 2020s. 

Furthermore, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has prompted an influx of forcibly displaced Venezuelans into neighboring Guyana. Venezuelans constitute about 3% of Guyana’s population. Many are fleeing the collapse of their country’s socioeconomic and political infrastructure, seeking relief from poverty and food insecurity.

What Is Life in Guyana Like for Migrants?

Migrants must first apply for a work permit through a work visa. The pre-arrival recruitment process for migrant workers in Guyana typically takes about 90 days. However, the process does not always conform to ethical standards, with some migrants reporting they had to pay to apply for a job. 

Migrants can also request stay permits, subject to renewal every three months. However, these permits do not grant foreign nationals the right to work. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that 23,412 forcibly displaced Venezuelans have received stay permits since 2018. As this figure does not account for undocumented migrants, the number is likely much higher.

Due to these challenges, many migrants work in informal places and thus lack social protection. As the International Organization for Migration (IOM) noted, “The informal economy accounts for a significant amount of employment and livelihood, with official estimates ranging from 45% to 52% of total Guyanese economic activity.” This exposes migrants to labor exploitation and even human trafficking. Informality increases in rural areas where many Indigenous Venezuelans from the Warao community have settled. 

Warao migrants account for 10% of Venezuelan nationals in Guyana. IOM reported in 2023 that 48% of Indigenous Venezuelans had no recognized status in Guyana. This makes them more vulnerable to exploitation in a context where Indigenous Guyanese already face disproportionately high poverty rates. The UNHCR and The New Humanitarian shared that the Warao community faces limited access to food, clean water, sanitation and education. 

Language barriers compound these difficulties as Guyana is the only anglophone country in South America. Additionally, there are escalating tensions between the Guyanese and Venezuelan governments, with Venezuela claiming Guyana’s western Essequibo region. This dispute risks causing friction between Venezuelan migrants and Guyanese citizens.

How Are the Migration Issues in Guyana Being Addressed?

  • A new Regional Migration Policy: The intergovernmental organization Caribbean Community (CARICOM), headquartered in Guyana, is developing a “people-centered” Regional Migration Policy. It aims to “streamline migration processes, enhance security, promote regional development” and improve protection for vulnerable migrant groups. CARICOM member states are set to review the policy in February 2025. 
  • Spanglish Bee: The UNHCR is playing an active role in improving migrant access to education. The annual “Spanglish Bee” competition is held in partnership with the Ministry of Education to improve refugee children’s English and Spanish skills. 
  • Supporting integration: Blossom Inc., a child-protection nonprofit in Guyana, has been collaborating with UNHCR to offer case management services to forcibly displaced children and their caregivers. These aim to develop migrants’ independence in Guyana, including providing information on accessing social services. These services supported 56 children and caregivers from July to September 2024.

Migration to Guyana has the potential to offer many domestic and regional benefits, including boosting the economy and providing refuge for Venezuelans escaping a humanitarian crisis. IOM reported that Guyana must welcome at least 100,000 people into its workforce to maximize its economic growth. Though it is uncertain how migration flows to Guyana will develop in the long term, organizations and world leaders are gradually seizing opportunities for improvement.

– Nesreen Yousfi

Nesreen is based in Watford, Hertfordshire, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Overcoming Obstacles After Migration to New Zealand

Migration to New Zealand
New Zealand hosts 1,500 refugees and asylum seekers annually, predominantly from Asia, the Middle East, the Pacific. and South America. Migrants experience challenges, such as the language barrier between migrants and locals and discrimination, when adjusting to a foreign country. Here is more information about the challenges pertaining to migration to New Zealand.

Language Barrier Between Refugees and Locals

Due to the language barrier, some retired migrants cannot comfortably interact socially with the locals, which disables them from forging new relationships and connections. Moreover, social support and health services are difficult to access because they need to speak English in New Zealand.

Such healthcare services include consulting medical doctors when ill or providing emergency services in critical situations. The inability to convey their health issues can lead to complications in the future. 

Discrimination from Locals

Discrimination is prevalent in New Zealand; however, it is more common for migrants and foreigners to experience racial prejudice. Due to physical appearances or the inability to speak English, migrants may get harassed in public places by locals. 

“As stated in the 2016 General Social Survey (GSS), about 26% of recent migrants said they’d felt discriminated against in the previous 12 months, compared with about 16 percent for both long-term migrants and people born in New Zealand.” This affirms that racial discrimination does occur for migrants regardless of the duration they have lived in New Zealand. Furthermore, discrimination effects poverty via:

  • Social Isolation: Issues of poverty can be magnified when discrimination can mentally affect migrants, leading to isolating themselves from society. This also reduces the community resources that provide employment and access services.
  • Wage Gaps: After employment, migrants may experience wage inequality compared to their local colleagues. Employer discrimination can result in economic instability for the migrants.

Unemployment Among Migrant Workers in New Zealand

There have been numerous accounts where multiple Chinese migrant workers are left jobless due to their employers firing them. “Three Chinese migrant workers who were sacked within a month of each other by the same Auckland employer are the latest among at least 100 workers who are unemployed after paying thousands of dollars for their accredited employer work visas (AEWV).” Many have paid thousands of dollars for accredited work visas yet cannot earn a steady income or afford living costs.  

Existing Poverty Among Migrants in New Zealand

Despite initiatives from independent organizations to address the challenges of migration to New Zealand, poverty among migrants in New Zealand is still prevalent. According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, 16% of migrants could not afford to live in their previous country. In contrast, almost a third of all migrants do not have sufficient funds to pay for their living costs in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Red Cross

In 1944, during World War 2,  the New Zealand Red Cross welcomed New Zealand’s first refugees – more than 700 Polish children displaced in the war. The New Zealand Red Cross has assisted more than 7,000 people to start a new life in New Zealand for the last 20 years.

For the first six months, volunteers will help former refugees with logistical arrangements, such as purchasing groceries, setting up an online bank account, heading to the local school for English lessons, and familiarizing themselves with the local neighborhood.

The Human Rights Commission

If refugees experience racial discrimination, they can approach the Human Rights Commission (Te Kähui Tika Tangata) for details and help. Specific types of racism are illegal, and the Human Rights Act safeguards refugees from racial discrimination and harassment in some public areas: government services and grocery stores.

New Zealand Immigration ensures that former refugees and their families are included in the local community while staying mentally and physically healthy, having a place to call home, learning English, and staying independent with a job.

A Path Forward for Migration to New Zealand

While migrants may encounter these issues, government-initiated plans and organizations provide effective solutions for a smoother transition from impoverished countries to New Zealand. With a wide range of support, migrants can join communities to live comfortably with others without the burden of poverty.

– Nalini Vijayakumar

Nalini is based in Perth, WA, Australia, and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Migration to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Migration to Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe Balkan country of Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced the displacement of more than 2.2 million of its citizens during the 1992-1995 Bosnian war. However, now Bosnia and Herzegovina is at the forefront of a new migration crisis due to increased rates of global poverty and conflict. Since 2018, more than 110,000 migrants have entered the Balkan country. The numbers first increased in 2018 after 24,067 migrants and refugees arrived in the country compared to 755 in 2017. Despite migration challenging the infrastructure of Bosnia and Herzegovina, obstacles are often overcome thanks to the cooperation of various international institutions and charities

Western Balkan Migration Route

Bosnia and Herzegovina falls within the Western Balkan route, popular among migrants who look to enter EU countries. From January to September 2023, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded 128,871 migrant, refugee and asylum seeker arrivals through the corridor. The large number and potential for an unexpected increase of migrants strain Bosnia and Herzegovina’s resources.

However, the IOM, UNHCR and EU provide financial support for the country to ease the pressure of this corridor on countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina and to protect migrants. The “Individual Measure to Strengthen the Response Capacity to Manage Migration Flows in Bosnia and Herzegovina” project aims to transfer the migration response to Bosnian authorities.

This project continues to receive considerable funding. In August 2024, The IOM confirmed 100% of the financing for protection management for the arrival of migrants into Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Accommodation for Migrants

The increased number of migrants in 2018 strained infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Collaboration between the country’s Ministry of Security (MoS) and the IOM facilitated the creation of seven temporary reception centers (TRCs) to house more than 8,000 migrants.

In 2018, the IOM revealed that the national infrastructure was not adequate to house the sudden influx of migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The closure of TRC Lipa and Bira in 2020 reduced overall accommodation capacity from 8,282 to 3,540 beds.

Despite the challenges of accommodating migrants, international cooperation has helped resolve these problems. In 2021, a newly built TRC Lipa increased its accommodation capacity to 1,500 migrants compared to its prior 1,400 migrant capacity. Johann Sattler, Head of the EU Delegation, commented on the opening of TRC Lipa: “This is a good reminder for all of us that those crises can be solved, and the only way to resolve crises is through dialogue and a willingness to compromise.”

War and Poverty

In July 2024, the UNHCR reported that the top three countries of origin of migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina were the Syrian Arab Republic (35%), Afghanistan (29%) and Morocco (8%). The high number of Syrians and Afghans in Bosnia and Herzegovina correlates to the high levels of poverty in these countries due to war. In 2022, poverty affected 69% of Syrians and 90% of Afghans.

Mental Health

Migrants often face traumatic journeys that have psychological impacts. Adil, a Moroccan migrant who resides in TRC Lipa expressed how migration impacted his mental wellbeing to the IOM: “This journey is hard and dangerous. I have seen and experienced things that I do not want to remember.”

There are ongoing efforts by the IOM and Bosnian authorities to provide mental health support for migrants. The IOM continues to provide mental health screening for migrants inside and outside TRCs and aims to increase mental health support access for migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Between April 2024 and July 2024, the UNHCR assisted 585 migrants with psychosocial support.

Cultural Programs for Migrants

Alongside the efforts of international organizations and the Bosnian government to integrate migrants into the workplace and provide psychological aid for migrants, cultural programs also help improve their well-being.

In 2024, IOM ran creative programs in multiple TRCs. TRC Blažuj held a canvas painting workshop which allowed migrants to express their creativity. TRC Lipa has a creative zone where handcrafting workshops were held for migrants and refugees from Afghanistan, Gambia, Iran and Syria.

Cultural programs extend beyond reception centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina into mainstream society. Migrants from reception centers contributed to a fashion collection for The No Nation Fashion brand showcased at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival.

Cooperation for Solutions

The impact of global poverty meant the influx of migrants to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2018 onwards presented challenges to the country’s infrastructure and the safety of migrants. However, cooperation between the former Yugoslav country, international governments and organizations shows the capacity to overcome the potential challenges of migration to improve the quality of life of migrants.

– Sofia Brooke

Sofia is based in Oxfordshire, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, , , , ,

3 Ways the IOM is Addressing Somalia’s Humanitarian Crisis

3 Ways the IOM is Addressing Humanitarian Crisis in SomaliaSomalia is a low-income country in the Horn of Africa. The country has suffered through four consecutive years of drought. This has caused the death of almost 4 million livestock between July 2021 and April 2022. A once-in-a-century flooding event during the latest rainy season worsened this grim situation. The paradoxical combination of drought and floods has resulted in failed harvests, decreased food security and displaced more than a million Somalians. Here are three ways the International Organization for Migration (IOM)—one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the country—is addressing Somalia’s humanitarian crisis.

3 Ways IOM Addresses Somalia’s Humanitarian Crisis

  1. New Mobile Clinics. In August 2023, IOM announced the opening of seven new mobile clinics in the city of Garowe, Somalia. The purpose of the clinics is to provide health and nutrition services to individuals affected by the drought. The clinics offer free malnutrition screenings, nutrition assistance, child immunizations and medical consultations to those in need, among other services. Despite receiving just 34% of the requested funding, IOM has impressively managed to reach 73% of Somalians targeted for health and nutrition assistance by the organization.
  2. Emergency Shelter. While plastic sheets may not seem like much in the way of shelter, they can be effective for temporarily patching roof holes in times of heavy rainfall and are a far cry better than no shelter at all. Recognizing this, IOM supplied 100,000 plastic sheets to flood-impacted regions of the country in Aug. 2023. Additionally, IOM provided more than 5,000 Somalian households with crucial emergency shelter materials in the same month. This program was subsequently scaled up to cover more than 7,000 households in the following month.
  3. Solar-Powered Wells. The prolonged drought in Somalia has resulted in many shallow wells and small reservoirs drying up, forcing thousands of rural Somalians to flee to urban areas or refugee camps. To combat this trend and improve access to clean water and sanitation, IOM is working on rehabilitating seven wells in the city of Baidoa, Somalia. While still in progress, the last two boreholes for the wells were completed in Aug. 2023. IOM is outfitting the wells with solar generators to guarantee their sustainability. In addition, the organization has cumulatively provided more than two million Somalians with water, sanitation and hygiene assistance as of Aug. 2023.

Looking Ahead

The IOM continues to play a critical role in addressing Somalia’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. Through the establishment of mobile clinics, the provision of emergency shelter materials and the rehabilitation of solar-powered wells, IOM has provided essential aid to millions of Somalians affected by drought and flooding. These ongoing efforts aim to improve health services, enhance living conditions and secure access to clean water, all of which are crucial in mitigating the severe impacts of the country’s climate challenges.

– Kipling Newman

Kipling is based in Denver, CO, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Human Trafficking in Libya Exploits the Vulnerable

Human Trafficking in Libya Exploits the VulnerableCurrently, the Global Organized Crime Index rates Libya as one of the worst places for human trafficking, with a high score of 8.5 out of 10. The country’s resilience score is also very low, indicating that little effective action is being taken to end this trafficking epidemic. The United States Department of State has reported that instability, conflict and lack of government oversight and capacity in Libya allow human trafficking crimes to persist and remain highly profitable for traffickers. Furthermore, the Department of State notes that the population suffers abuse not only from criminals but also from governmental and nonstate armed groups. This abuse includes physical, sexual and verbal assaults; abduction for ransom; extortion; arbitrary killings; inhumane detention; and child soldiering.

Poverty in Libya

In recent years, poverty levels in Libya have surged, raising significant concern among the Libyan government and NGOs. The Libyan News Agency reported in 2023 that the National Institution for Human Rights in Libya (NIHRL) found a 40% increase in poverty rates, nearly affecting half of Libya’s population. The NIHRL identified several critical factors contributing to this rise: escalating inflation, the depreciation of the local currency against foreign currencies, increased prices of basic goods and food items, higher costs for health services and lower income levels for families, particularly among the most vulnerable and needy groups.

International Aid and NGO Involvement

The political and economic climate in Libya struggles to protect its impoverished population from exploitation effectively. Despite these challenges, support from NGOs and international governments offers hope for improvement. Numerous organizations are actively working to enhance Libya’s welfare by combating poverty and violence and striving to secure basic human rights for its people. Prominent groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are at the forefront, diligently seeking solutions and fostering hope for a better future in Libya.

International Organization for Migration

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is making significant strides in Libya, where its efforts are profoundly felt. As of 2023, the IOM has identified a total of 706,062 migrants from more than 44 nationalities across 100 Libyan municipalities. This substantial migrant presence has unfortunately increased trafficking activities, but the IOM’s assistance is a crucial step toward addressing these challenges. The organization collaborates with embassies, community leaders and humanitarian partners to enhance critical health care, including mental health and psychosocial support, for migrants and trafficking survivors. These vital collaborations form a multi-pronged approach that promises strategic solutions and hopeful outcomes in the fight against trafficking and poverty in Libya.

Looking Ahead

Libya’s ongoing crisis of human trafficking and poverty demands urgent and coordinated action. International organizations like the IOM and NGOs such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are working to provide essential services and advocate for the rights of vulnerable populations. These ongoing efforts, alongside greater international support, could address the systemic issues and improve the lives of those affected by trafficking and poverty in Libya.

– Abigail Johnson

Abigail is based in Sapulpa, OK, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, , ,

Poverty among Migrant Workers in Singapore

Migrant Workers in SingaporeFor many people, dorm rooms evoke memories of sharing close quarters in college or the halcyon days of summer camp. However, in Singapore, dorm rooms mean something very different: the cramped and inhumane living conditions of the migrant workers who form the backbone of Singapore’s economy.

About Migrant Workers in Singapore

Migrant workers, primarily from China, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and Bangladesh, compose 38% of Singapore’s labor force and play a particularly crucial role in the construction, manufacturing, maritime and service industries. A particularly large contingent of these foreign workers are classified as migrant domestic workers (MDWs). These workers, who are predominantly female and make up 4.4% of Singapore’s population and 7.3% of its labor force, are particularly vulnerable to domestic abuse and overworking.

Unhealthy Living Conditions

Human Rights Watch has reported that up to 20 workers are packed into the same room and forced to share a single bathroom. These cramped living conditions are often unsanitary and proved particularly hazardous during COVID-19 when strict government lockdowns forced workers to remain in hot, crowded dorms that lacked proper ventilation. In the early days of the pandemic, 90% of Singapore’s COVID-19 cases were among migrant workers.

Migrant workers in Singapore often find themselves in precarious positions because their work permits and legal status in the country are tied to their employers. Foreign domestic workers are especially vulnerable to exploitation because they are excluded from many labor protections, including paid days off and limits on working hours. In addition, foreign workers are barred from organizing and taking part in labor unions.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) has also found a concerning decline in positive attitudes toward migrants, even toward the foreign domestic workers that many Singaporeans come into personal contact with every day.

Solutions

Despite the many challenges facing migrant workers in Singapore, various nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are working to address these issues. Its Raining Raincoats is a charity focused on providing services for migrant workers in need, with the broader goal of ensuring that they are welcomed and integrated into Singaporean society. The charity runs various welfare programs that ensure migrants have access to dental and vision care and assist them with salary and employment issues. It also provides English language, financial literacy and first aid classes. In 2023, the charity raised more than $1.2 million for migrant workers and distributed more than 650,000 essential items, including meals, bikes, phones and glasses.

Additionally, the Migrant Workers’ Center, established in 2009 as a collaboration between the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation, is an NGO that advocates for the uniform application of fair employment practices. It provides free legal advice, humanitarian assistance and peer support networks, among other services. It also offers an associate membership for just $6 a year, which allows migrants to access critical health and disability insurance in addition to benefits.

Despite public opinion and the dearth of substantive government action, these NGOs are working to improve the lives of migrant workers in Singapore.

– Josephine Koch

Josephine is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Poverty Among Migrants in Northern Ireland 

Migrants in Northern IrelandAccording to the 2021 Census, the number of migrants in Northern Ireland, which the census measures in terms of residents of Northern Ireland who were born outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland, increased from 81,500 people (4.5% of the total population) to 124,300 people (6.5% of the population) between 2011 and 2021. By comparison, that figure was only 1.5% in 2001. Overall, the statistics reveal a general trend of increasing diversity across various metrics including ethnicity and national origin, with the percentage of census respondents who self-identified as “white” decreasing from 99.2% in 2001 to 98.2% in 2011.

Data from the 2021 Census indicates that most migrants were born in the EU or other non-EU European countries, comprising 57% of all those born outside the U.K. or Ireland, with the remaining migrants coming primarily from the Middle East and North Africa.

Poverty in Migrant Communities

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), an advocacy group from the U.K. that works to end poverty in the country, has found that recent migrants and minority ethnic groups are employed primarily in poorly paid jobs, even though many migrants are skilled and highly qualified. As a result, in work and child poverty rates are particularly high among minority and migrant populations.

The JRF report also points out that there is currently a concerning lack of data on the poverty rates and living standards among migrant communities in Northern Ireland, making it difficult to determine the exact extent of the disparity. However, JRF was able to rely upon small-scale surveys to paint a general picture of the unique challenges that migrant communities in Northern Ireland are facing. Its findings indicate that minority ethnic groups tend to earn below the average wage, even when compared to other low-grade employees. Underemployment and lack of access to social security benefits are also challenges, and language barriers, racism and lack of training often pose barriers to career advancement.

Government Policies Addressing Migrant Poverty

Despite the challenges that migrant communities in Northern Ireland are facing, there have been important policies that have helped combat these issues. The 1970 Prevention of Incitement to Hatred Act imposes penalties for hate speech and the spreading of falsehoods that incite hatred on the basis of religion, race, ethnicity or national origin.

More recently, Northern Ireland has implemented its 2015 – 2025 Racial Equality Strategy, which establishes a framework for addressing economic inequalities for racial and ethnic minorities. While JFR has cautioned that these policy measures do little to concretely address the issues facing migrants and minorities, they do function as important awareness-raising mechanisms.

Non-Profit Efforts to Mitigate Migrant Poverty

The non-profit sector has also mobilized to provide support for migrants in Northern Ireland. Established in 2002, the Northern Ireland Community of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (NICRAS) is a refugee-led community coalition that seeks to support migrant communities by providing social services, educational opportunities and English classes. Other organizations, such as the Migrant Centre NI, established in 2010, focus on advocacy, lobbying and policy reform.

While migrants in Northern Ireland continue to face many challenges, a network of government and non-profit organizations are working to ensure that migrants have access to the resources, social services and economic opportunities that will allow them to make Northern Ireland their home.

– Josephine Koch

Josephine is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr