The International Labour Migration Economics Essay

The International Labour Migration Economics Essay There has been considerable debate about the effect of increased labour migration from developing countries to developed nations. Many commentators have argued that such increase in migration is informed by economic factors and that those who migrate from developing countries drain the human capital resources of sending nations which in the long run, negatively affects their economy. On the other hand, other scholars believe that migration helps the economy of developing countries as the incomes they receive by way of remittances contribute significantly to reducing poverty and their gross domestic product [GDP] Moin Siddiqi, 2008]. People migrate for various reasons, which may be as a result of civil wars, unemployment, changes due to the environment, or to improve their standard of living. Sociologists on the other hand, have long analysed migration in terms of the push -pull models (A project of the Levin Institute, n.d, p.8.) The model differentiates between push factors that drive people to leave their home countries from pull factors that attract migrants to other countries or new locations. Migration has always been a dominating fact of our everyday life [Kathleen Beegle and Carlo Azzarri 2004] and mankind has always lived with it even in biblical times. For example, Jacob, the father of Joseph and members of his family left Cannaan for Egypt because of severe famine that swept through the middle-east belt where they lived at that time [The Bible, Genesis: 45]. ii] Outline of the paper In discussing the reasons for migration, the essay will first and foremost attempt to define migration and why it happens by examining push and pull factors which sociologists refer to as the main reasons for migration and their effect on sending nations. The essay will further discuss the empirical effects of migration on sending nations during the last 20 years. iii] Organisation of the essay The essay will be organized around four sections namely: What is migration? Why does it happen? Empirical effects of migration on sending countries. Conclusion Section 1 1.0 What is migration? Migration is the movement of persons from one country or location to another. Migration is common to all living creatures and it is often done for survival and economic reasons by those seeking to migrate. For example, some birds migrate according to W. Alice Boyle and Courtney J. Conway in the report of their research findings, explained that it is not just whether you eat insects, termites, nectar or candy bars or where you eat them, it matters how reliable that food source is from day to day. In the case of humans, the World Bank estimates that there are currently 200 million people living in countries where they were not born [Russel, nd] The global mobility of skilled workers has increased in recent years according to the report due to the expansion of the knowledge economy, the progressive globalization of markets and companies, the growing demand for scarce skills and wider political and economic issues. This increase in global mobility is a practical reality of the inter-inde pendence that affects us all and is not necessarily a problem except where critical skills needed by source countries are lost and are not readily replaced; a brain drain [Myburgh, 2002]. 1.1 Migration Barriers Migrations come in legal and illegal forms and while countries seek and promote integrated markets through liberalization of trade and investment, they have largely resisted liberalizing migration policies. Many countries have extensive legal barriers preventing foreigners from entering for purposes of seeking work or residency according to World Bank in its report Globalisation, Growth, and Poverty. In fact, immigration policies across the world are getting tighter as governments attempt to limit the economic, cultural and security impact of large movement of people from one country to another. Despite the reluctance of governments to liberalise immigration policy, the number of people living outside their country of origin is rising. (A project of the Levin Institute, n.d, p.2). According to the 2010 United Nations Human Development Report, migrants account for approximately 3.1 percent of the world population [as of 2010]. Section 2 2.0 Why people migrate A poll conducted by Gallup Polls across 82 countries revealed that more than one in four participants displayed a desire to move abroad. The figure when put together, represents a median of about 26 percent. In certain countries, such as Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria, more than half of participants surveyed said they wanted to emigrate. On the lower end, participants in Thailand [8%], Australia [8%], and Saudi Arabia [1%] displayed nearly no desire to emigrate [A project of the Levin Institute, n.d, p.2]. People migrate for various reasons, bringing back what I said earlier when I mentioned a few reasons, which may be as a result of civil wars, unemployment, environmental or climatic changes or to improve their standard of living. The major two reasons encouraging an individual to migrate can be divided into push or pull factors. The former refers to circumstances which encourage migrants to leave the country of origin while the latter refers to the attraction that make migrants leave for a particular destination country because of the special skills and technical training the migrant possesses which the developed country may be lacking in quantity [Gbemiga Bamidele, 2001 check date]. 2.1 Push Factors Push factors come in many forms. Sometimes these factors leave people with no choice but to leave their country of origin. Following are three examples of push factors that drive people to emigrate from their home country. a] Unemployment/Poverty: Economics provides the main reason behind migration. In fact, according to the International Labour Organization, about half of the total population of current migrants, 100 million women and men migrant workers, have left home to find better job and lifestyle opportunities for their families. In some countries jobs simply do not exist for a great deal of the population. In others, the gap between the rewards of labor in the sending and receiving country are great enough so as to warrant a move. The unemployment situation in developing countries is a big problem to youths who have left schools waiting to be engaged in the labour market and the various governments who find it difficult to find a solution to it. In Morocco for example, unemployment which represented less than 17% of the economic causes of emigration before 1960, far behind the search for a more lucrative work [50%] or the improvement of the living standard [25%] became the principal economic cause of emigration in the 90s. According to the data collected by Hamdrouch [2000], 41% of answers ? indicate unemployment as the first cause of emigration whereas the search for a more lucrative work and the improvement of the standard of living represent 38% and 14% respectively as the reasons for emigration [Fida Karam, Bernard Decaluwe, 2007]. In Kenya, it is reported that people are unable to contribute to the economic growth, not because they are weak, but because they are unable due to lack of jobs. Those who are qualified, willing and dedicated are unable to secure themselves a job. Another reason for unemployment is the low education level of a large percentage of the population. Because they lack the technical knowledge and cannot specialize in carrying out roles in factories they, for example, are unable to secure a job. Another is the high population growth rate which also is a major factor that has made Kenya not to secure jobs because of the high competition and fewer jobs [Patrick Kioko Katli, 2000à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.?]. In Nigeria, the two decades of economic stagnation and micro-economic instability, corruption and poor resource management, most Nigerians especially young people consider migration as a panacea to economic problems. In recent years, there has been unprecedented rate of rural-urban migration and emigration into other countries of Africa, Europe and America. For example, due to migration and subsequent urban growth, Lagos a city in Nigeria, which did not appear in the list of fifteen largest cities in 1950, occupied the fifteenth position in 1955 and is expected to jump to number three position in 2015 with over 24 million inhabitants [Toredo, 1997]. As regards movement outside Nigeria, there has been a remarkable increase in emigration to Europe, North America, the Middle East and South Africa from the 1980s following economic down-turn, introduction of liberalisation measures and emergence of repressive military dictatorship [Adedokun, 2003]. Thousands of professionals, especially s cientists, academics, and those in the medical fields have emigrated mainly to Western Europe, the United States of America and the Persian Gulf States. At the same time, unskilled Nigerians with little education have gone abroad to work as street cleaners, security guards, taxi drivers and factory hands. In Southern Nigeria, for example, between 50 and 80 percent of households have at least one migrant member [Bah et al, 2003]. Migration is considered essential to achieving success and young men who do not migrate or commute to town or abroad are often labelled as idle and may become object of ridicule. India has recently experienced a surge in emigration due to a combination of these factors. Indias unemployed have never been properly estimated, but they could total 100 million, with a further annual job loss rate of around 10 million as the global recession continues to take its toll on the Indian economy. [Globalisation]. The number of skilled workers coming out of Indian universities has never been higher. Meanwhile, the number of domestic jobs available to them is minimal. Only about 0.7m jobs a year have been created in the past few years, most of them in the public sector. This will not keep skilled workers in the country. Many instead go to the United States, where their skills and their lower wage demands are sought after by high-tech companies. In fact, about 40 percent of recent immigrants from India to the U.S. have been accepted due to employment based preferences, thus showing the high degree of American corporations demand for Indian skilled labor. As the population g rows at 20 million per year, and more and more students graduate from technical universities, India may experience a great deal more emigration. b] Civil Strife/ War/ Political and Religious Persecution People also migrate to avoid civil strife, war, political and religious persecution in their own country. For example, when there was widespread political unrest in Albania which eventually led to war in 1999, there was mass exodus of people from the country, which by 2001 had led to one sixth, possibly even one fifth of the countrys population leaving abroad. Initially, people left by sea to Italy and move to other European destinations, including the UK. [Eugenia Markovaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.]

Open Burning

Open burning Is the burning of unwanted materials such as paper, trees, brush, leaves, grass, and other debris, where smoke and other emissions are released directly into the air without passing through a chimney or stack. Open burning also includes incineration devices that do not control the combustion air to maintain an adequate temperature and do not provide sufficient residence time for complete combustion.Open burning pollutes the air and poses a fire hazard. The air pollution created by open burning can irritate eyes and lungs, obscure visibility, soil nearby surfaces, create annoying odors, and are a danger to those with respiratory conditions. Alternatives (car eminence): 1) Compose – compost (butt Baja) Instead of burning them (the garbage) clippings can be turned into food for your garden or houseplants. 2) Recycle ; Leaves and grass – process old/used materials (e. G. Per, metal, plastic, etc) into new product. 3) Craft (Kara tango) – use old material and create something useful 4) Reduce – Less stuff used, less stuff need to be burned – Look for Items with less packaging ; Buy items in packaging that can be reused or recycled 5) Reuse – Reuse everything can be reused (bottle, can, etc) – Donate old clothes, shoes, books, appliance, electronics, furniture and toys to charity. – Carry a coffee mug with you instead of disposable cups.Bring your own cloth bag to the store or reuse plastic bags. 6) Landfill (attempt bung sampan) – Items that cannot be reused or recycled should be taken to the landfill. Open Burning Outcomes: 1) Alarm pollution 2) Foggy Rebus) 3) Hazardous/ poisonous air/smoke from the burning of pesticides, detergent, etc. 4) Danger of explosion 5) Can result in uncontrollable burning (forest burning, house on fire, etc) 6) Can danger human being as well as animals

Aging Theory- Gerontology

Activity Theory means remaining occupied and involved on activities that are necessary to a satisfying late life. The meaning of this principle was that human mind comes to exist, develop and can only be understood within the context of meaningful, goal oriented and socially determined interaction between humans and the material environment.The basic concept of this theory is that all human activities are mediated by culturally created signs or tools. Through external interactions with these signs the internal mental state of the individual is transformed (Aboulafia, Gould, and Spyrou 1995).Activity Theory is not a theory in the strict interpretation of the term, it is consist of basic principles which constitutes a conceptual system in general that can be used as a foundation of more specific theories.These principles of Activity Theory includes object-orientedness, dual concept of internalizing and externalizing, meditations and continuous development.Whereas the object orientednes s states that as human beings, we should,live in a reality that is objective in a broad sense and the things that constitutes reality have not only the properties which are considered objective according to national science but socially/culturally defined properties as well.In this theory the high level motivating concept is activity. It is the general term that describes what the individual or group is trying to accomplish and typically indicates what outcome are they working out. A good case on this is activity like fishing.A fishing activity has actions that are performed on order to accomplish a specific goals and when that action is performed, the situation is assessed and later on determines if the goal is achieved. Actions also inludes operations and rules that requires the individual to act and think more in relation to the activity and the goalActivity Theory 2that they want. It includes figuring out where to fish, loading the fish to the car, baiting your hook, catching,cl eaning and driving home with the catch.The Activity Theory emphasizes on social factors and on interaction between agents and environment and the necessary tools in doing those actions.Tools shapes the way human being's interaction with reality. Tools are created and transformed during the activity development and this tools are used as a means of accumulation and transmission of social knowledge. It influences not only the environment but enhances the mental functioning of every individualWhat we can further analyze regarding this theory are the activities that will make adult busy and make them get into the process of maintaining an active lifestyle that will benefit them in attaining a satisfying late life. Continuity   of doing this activities makes adult develop their mind and body that will later on satisfy their life.I is important for older adults to be active in order to attain a satisfying late life because during these stages they need to be expose to activities that wi ll make them feel young and make their minds working so as to forget the illnesses that may occur due to the fact that they are getting old.Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being engage in activities like fishing, mind sports and physical exercises makes an older adult feel young and the continuous mental function provides them more knowledge and more enjoyable time spent with love ones.ReferencesAboulafia, A., Gould, E., & Spyrou, T. (1995). Activity theory vs. cognitive science in the study of human-computer interaction . Proceedings of IRIS

End of Mayan Civilization - 1143 Words

End of Mayan Civilization Samuel Nathaniel H. Stansbury HUM 111 11/3/2012 The mystery concerning the fundamental explanation for the collapse of the Mayan Civilization has been a major focus for researchers in the fields of anthropology and archeology for a considerable period of time. At the very core of this mystery of the Mayan collapse was the question of how could such a strong, stable civilization that had flourished for approximately twenty-seven hundred years disappear without a clear, rational explanation. As a result, researchers have put forth a large number of theories for the explanation of the collapse and subsequent decimation of the Mayan empire. Although it would be convenient or simple to put forth a theory†¦show more content†¦In addition, Cecil explains that a group of University of Florida scientists concluded that the time period of the Maya collapse, approximately 900 A.D., represented the driest time in the Mayan region for a 7,000 year period. This conclusion offered a theory that there was exceptional drought precisely a t the time of the decimation of the Mayan civilization (Cecil, 2011). Perhaps the best example for drought as the most rational theory for the Mayan collapse are the series of arguments put forth by Matthew Markowitz in the ICE Case Study- The Mayans, Climate Change, and Conflict. Although Markowitz acknowledges that warfare most likely was an accompanying factor with severe drought, it definitely was not the primary or underlying factor. For example, Markowitz explains that there always existed some form of warfare between Mayan states throughout their history and to some Mayan historians uncontrolled warfare was most likely one of the primary causes for the Mayan collapse (Markowitz, 2003). In contrast, the arguments by Markowitz concerning drought and severe climate change greatly outweigh warfare and represent the best possible theory for the Mayan collapse. The significant, fundamental factors of drought and climate change led researchers to conclude that the ecological/ enviro nmental surroundings of the Maya- most notably the tropical rainforest- wereShow MoreRelatedCharacteristics Of The Mayan Civilization814 Words   |  4 PagesMayan Civilization There were many incredible civilizations in mesoamerica including the Incas, Aztecs, and the Mayas. They all had many strengths and weaknesses but the strongest among them were the Mayans. The Mayans were a very advanced civilization who survived for many, many years. The Mayans were very advanced in astronomy. They could map out the stars, the planets, the sun, and the moon. They knew so much about astronomy that they built all of their buildings in perfect alignment with compassRead MoreMayan Civilization : Ancient Civilizations1314 Words   |  6 PagesMayan Civilization The mayan civilization was one of the earliest civilizations that occupied areas that are today known as Guatemala, Northern Belize, and Mexico. The mayan civilization lived through what is known as the Classic Period. Their culture began about 250 C.E. and ended near 900 C.E. While most of the population lived in what is present day Guatemala the population of the mayans rose from 5,000 to almost two million people near the end of the Classic Period. Although the mayans are knownRead MoreFactors That Affect The Rise And Fall Of Civilizations Essay914 Words   |  4 PagesRise and the Fall of Mayan Civilization Area and Egyptian Civilization Area In ancient time, environmental factors were very important. It directed the people to where they should settle to practice agriculture for their living. Among many different important environmental factors such as geography, geology, plant and animal species, agricultural potential, resource abundance, one of the most significants factors which influenced to the rise and the fall of civilizations is climate. In my paperRead MoreThe Decline Of The Mayan Civilization1196 Words   |  5 PagesThe rise of civilizations significantly increased as the world made its shift from the Paleolithic Era to the Neolithic Era and onward. The Mayan civilization arose as a part of Mesoamerica during the sixteenth century. Occupying the regions of Central America and Mexico, the Mayans had a strong impact on the world with militaristic and influence from the invention of advancements. The earliest record of the Mayan existence dates back to circa 400 B.C. The Mayan Civilization extended over a time Read MoreMayan, Aztec, Incan Dbq768 Words   |  4 PagesThe Mayan, Aztec, and Inca civilizations brought major accomplishments to the world today. These accomplishments established them as advanced societies during their time without the influence of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Some of these accomplishments ranged from agriculture to architecture and on to writing and trade. Such as, the Mayans with their agriculture system of chinampas and there monumental temple/pyramids, the Aztecs with their trading in the city of Tenochtitlan, and the IncasRead MoreThe Inspirations from the Mayan Ballgame1515 Words   |  7 Pageshas since fascinated historians and archaeologists to this day. Exploration and investigation has brought to light the great advancements these civilizations made in the areas of art, technology, and even astronomy. By means of examining and analyzing the remains, the massive structures and artifacts left behind by the early people of these civilizations, we have come to know of their rich culture and traditions. One group that we know a great deal of, the Classic Maya, exhibited a culture thatRead MoreThe Ancient Civilization1622 Words   |  7 PagesThe intrigue of The Mayans has always existed through the telling of their ritualistic practices or their calendar, but the fall of such an advanced civilization is perhaps the most intriguing story of all.To understand what causes great civilizations, it is vital to note the process of collapse in other civilizations, such as the great Roman Empire. Differences in time period, geographical landscapes, and other circumstances mean no direct correlations are possible, but the outstanding point ofRead MoreMayan Civilization and Culture1077 Words   |  5 Pages The Ancient Mayan civilization contained nearly two-thirds of Mesoamerica. The area included mostly volcanic mountains to porous limestone, also referred to as the lowlands in the more central regions. Mayan civilization extende d from Belize and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in the north, to Honduras in the south. What made the Mayans stand out to me the most, were their complex societies, which were built and modernized far ahead of its time in a tropical rainforest climate (Aissen, 1992). NormallyRead MoreThe Origins Of The Ancient Civilization1308 Words   |  6 PagesThat is what happened to the Mayans. In a time span of only one hundred years, the whole Maya population was wiped out. There are several theories about the cause of their decline. Due to their disappearance the great Mayan inventions were lost in time until modern day anthropologists discovered that they made their own calendar and language along with many other things. What anthropologists do know for sure is that the Mayans were an ancient Mesoamerican civilization dating back to 250 B.C â€Å"madeRead MoreHow Bloodletting And Human Sacrifice1235 Words   |  5 Pagesimportant in the life of the Mayans. The bloodletting allows the ruler the ability to communicate with the Gods and their ancestors. While the human sacrifice is connected to the continuation of the cosmos and the resurrection of the agricultural seasons. A summary and a discussion of the book Popol Vuh is presented, on the topic of reassurance theme of human sacrifice is addressed in this paper. The examination of how bloodletting and human sacrifice is crucial to the Mayan culture, and how these rituals