In reports addressing local economic growth, migrant workers often appear as mere footnotes. Their contributions acknowledged but rarely given attention or recognition. However, now discussion is being steered on their impact on the social and cultural fabric. Questioning "Do we need 'them'?" became part of popular discourse.
We have been hearing adverts on national television about assessing when and how much are economic migrants needed in the ever-growing local population. These discussions frequently portray economic migrants as a homogenous bunch. A "reserve army" of workers, called upon to address the economic challenges posed by an aging population and can be easily 'sent back' when not needed.
What often comes to mind is Naomi Klein's No Logo - a ground-breaking book that profoundly shaped how I view precarious work and workers. Klein exposes the unsettling realities of globalisation, particularly focusing on how multinational corporations maximise profits by relying on vulnerable, often invisible, workers in precarious conditions. This insight is especially powerful in understanding how workers-frequently young women-are trapped in cycles of exploitation to send money to their families.
These "disposable workers," as Klein terms them, are often treated as interchangeable cogs in a profit-driven machine rather than as individuals with rights, aspirations, and human dignity. This mirrors the reality faced by many economic migrants today, who are similarly reduced to a labour force meant to fill gaps in economies rather than being seen as people with lives and stories.
A significant portion of economic migrants are engaged in the gig economy-precarious, on-demand work that lacks stability and security. While the flexibility of this system may be appealing to employers, it often comes at the expense of workers' rights and protections, leaving economic migrants particularly vulnerable to exploitation. This perpetuates cycles of abuse and inequality, which not only harm the individuals involved but also create broader societal tensions.
Viewing economic migrants as mere economic tools, dehumanizes them in the process rather than recognising their lived experiences, aspirations, and vulnerabilities. The homogenous 'them' treatment outlines bolder divides between insiders and outsiders fulfilling in economic gaps. This depersonalization heightens the likelihood of their exploitation, particularly in industries like caregiving and catering, where demand for labour is high but recognition and protections for workers remain limited.
It became conventional wisdom that economic migrants are an economic need yet a cultural threat. I'm deliberately avoiding from delving into the debate of how we go about preserving what is local, and the finding mechanisms for integration. I do understand the necessity to have some sort of knowledge on usual customs and ways of doing things here, but it may be too generic to assume having a packaged one-size-fits-all integration toolkit course.
However, this conversation cannot overlook the fact that the integration and fair treatment of economic migrants are integral to shaping a just and inclusive society. By shifting the narrative from one of utility to one of shared humanity, we can foster a more compassionate and equitable approach to addressing the challenges of an evolving population. Continuous social impact assessments are required if there is a need to profile the continuous changes in the population, in terms of movement of persons and its effect on various aspects including schooling, hospitals, housing and more.
The Migration Policy can offer hope by providing a structured framework that ensures fair treatment, based on safeguarding physical and mental wellbeing for both employers and employees. Migrant workers are often separated from their families, living in precarious conditions, and surviving on minimal resources. Recognising these needs, would in turn, help diminish the 'us' and 'them' mentality and reduce the likelihood of abuse and mistreatment.
The Migration Policy must ensure equitable protections, such as access to fair wages, safe working conditions, and adequate housing. It should also address the emotional and social dimensions of migration, such as the toll of separation from family members and the challenges of integration in a foreign environment. Offering resources like language classes, legal support, and mental health services can go a long way in fostering a sense of belonging and security.
For employers, such a policy framework can clarify their responsibilities and encourage ethical practices, ensuring that they view their employees not as interchangeable assets but as valued members of their workforce. Transparent and enforceable guidelines would reduce the potential for exploitation while fostering mutual respect and collaboration. Ultimately, a humanized approach to migration policy acknowledges that migrant workers are not simply essential economic tools but individuals striving for a better life.
Prof. Valerie Visanich is an Associate Professor in Sociology