Theparadoxoftemporarymigration–24/02/2015:LondonMigration
ResearchGroup
Dr. Tomoko Hayakawa University College London tomoko.hayakawa@ucl.ac.uk Temporary migration schemes are increasingly attractive to developed countries in Europe as a solution to much debated political as well as economic issues of migration. Temporary migration schemes are thought to provide a ‘triple win’: they offer much needed labour force to a host country, do not cause an integration challenge, and provide work opportunities to migrants. But how is temporary migration realised in practice? Does it really benefit all interest groups involved? This paper uses a UK case study as to explore these issues. Following a brief review of recent UK policies, I will look at the position of Non‐EEA healthcare workers and domestic workers. The data is based on 22 in‐depth interviews with various stakeholders including employers, embassy officers, local authorities, support organisations for migrants and migrants themselves. The data reveals the ambiguity and complexity of temporary migration. I will discuss two paradoxical features inherent in temporary migration schemes. One is that the concept of ‘temporariness’ is interpreted differently by different stakeholders. The question of how long is temporary has no definite answer. Additionally, a temporary migration scheme may have unintended effects on migrant behaviour. Pressures of uncertainty and instability inherent in many schemes may threaten migrants’ needs for security and financial stability and force individuals to seek permanent settlement or having no alternative, to become undocumented altogether. Better understanding of these effects requires a careful contexualisation of temporary migration processes. In this short paper, I will outline some of the political, economic, and social realities affecting its outcomes including local and global labour markets and the migrants’ living and working situations.