"Desk Study on Migration and Development" DEVCO, March 2015

To be noted: in chapter 6 on "addressing the root causes of irregular and forced migration", the study advocates AGAINST DEVCO's involvement in tackling root causes:

"The last section of the study focuses on "addressing the root causes of irregular and forced migration through development cooperation". The main recommendation here is that DEVCO should resist working in this particular field. The reasons are the followings:

·Root causes approaches are grounded only in migration control objectives and are not in line with the overall focus of development policy to eradicate poverty

·Referring to the root causes of irregular and forced migration contributes to the conflation of migration and asylum issues which contributes to jeopardise international protection

·The notion of root causes derives from a very partial understanding of the dynamics sustaining irregular migration, which ignore factors originating in destinationcountries and migration regimes themselves

·      The root causes approach is grounded in simplistic and false assumptions about the nature of the inter-linkages between overall and sectorial development process, irregular, and forced migration. The study points to the significant body of research which suggests that successful development processes in poorer countries of origin do not reduce the inclination to migrate, and may on the contrary increase emigration rates by making extra resources for migration available.

Summary

"DEVCO B3 has commissioned a Desk Study on Migration and Development aiming to "inform internal reflection within the European Commission in view of furthering policy development at the EU level on migration and development (M&D)".

The study produces an analysis focused of the main lessons learned, good practices and success stories in the thematic area of migration and development, arguing that mainstreaming migration issues could be better addressed if integrated in the "three pillars" logic of sustainable development.

The study fully recognises the importance of the South-South dimension of migration "calling for a more comprehensive approach [including] not only intra-regional but also extra-regional and internal migration". In fact, a combination of economic and demographic factors and the financial and economic crises are contributing to transform some developing countries into major destinations for migrants.

The study touches upon some of the main priority topics addressed under the EU’s migration and development agenda, including remittances, circular migration, brain drain, and addressing the root causes of irregular and forced migration. Recommendations are also made regarding how best to mainstream migration into development cooperation in five key sectors – employment, private sector development, education, health and social protection.

Some of the main recommendations from the study are summarised below.

Remittances, Diaspora, Circular Migration, Brain Drain

·The development impacts of remittances are still "constrained by high transfer costs, widespread informality and the limited availability of remittances-related financial services and products". In this regard the EU priorities are accurate, however they should take into account South-South transfers and the social and economic barriers in this context. Despite the fact South-South transfer are smaller than the North-South ones, they are likely to reach more and poorer people. Therefore financial education needs to be a crucial element in the remittance-related actions.

·Diaspora represents another key factor in M&D, especially in the framework of human, social and cultural transfers. A key challenge encountered in this context is the fact that diaspora-related institutions in development countries often lack technical, financial and political resources. Moreover, the limited capacities and the heterogeneity of the diaspora organisations often hinder their ability to be engaged as agents of development in their countries of origin. The Commission is recommended to continue assisting developing countries in building capacity to map and reach out to their diaspora, and to increase attention for post-crisis contexts. Flexible migration regimes are the most effective way to promote circular migration, a phenomenon which is a "major component of South-South movements, encompassing cross border migration, seasonal migration including pastoralism and nomadism". Future work in this perspective should be targeted by taking into account not only North-South, but also South-South movements and as well as a better recognition of experience, skills and qualifications.

·The study takes a sceptical approach to the issue of ‘brain drain’. It seems quite evident that the "brain drain approach in the health sector overemphasises the role of international migration in the health workforce crisis when it is best understood as a symptom of a more structural crisis". The Commission is recommended to cease referring to brain drain "in favour of more neutral references to skilled migration", as well as to strengthen human resource development and plan strategies and improving structural conditions in countries of origin in order to promote training, retention, circulation and return of highly skilled migrants.

Mainstreaming Migration into Key Development Sectors

The study analyses the multiple inter-linkages between labour markets and migration.

Labour migration conditions, mainly migrant workers' protection, represent fundamental determinants of development. A significant segment of labour migration within the developing countries takes place informally and migrant workers often are facing vulnerabilities that expose them to exploitation and abuses. Therefore "efforts in related areas of data-collection, management and analysis can contribute to build the economic case for protection and serve as a basis for improved policy making on labour migration, including through bilateral or regional labour mobility agreements". Moreover irregular labour migration should be approached in connection with labour market informality.

The migration perspective "should be better mainstreamed within private sector development strategies based on partner countries' needs, including priority sectors for the economy". Future work on private sector development should focus on both countries of origin and destination, integrating issues such as diaspora contributions to development, remittances, intra-corporate transferees, and mobility of migrant workers. Despite the fact that "many migrants in developing countries are poor and vulnerable, there are also better-off segments involved in business creation and investments activities".

Taking into account the social pillar of sustainable development the study suggested that in the future development cooperation should focus on enhancing access to education for internal and international migrants. An inclusive approach is also called for in the health field.

The study points to the fact that generally, internal and international migrants face major challenges in accessing social protection. Considering the EU as the main destination area, the study recommends that "it should do more to guarantee an equal enjoyment of the social rights for those living in its territory". The EU should adopt a case-by-case approach, "based on the status of the social protection sector in partner countries", by facilitating access to social protection instruments.

A common remark to all social sectors underlined in the study is that "while development cooperation can encourage the use of migrants' resources to enhance social development or support civil society in providing social services in certain contexts, building states' capacities to meet their responsibilities at origin and destination should remain the primary objective in the medium- to long-term".

Addressing the Root Causes of Irregular and Forced Migration

The last section of the study focuses on "addressing the root causes of irregular and forced migration through development cooperation". The main recommendation here is that DEVCO should resist working in this particular field. The reasons are the followings:

·Root causes approaches are grounded only in migration control objectives and are not in line with the overall focus of development policy to eradicate poverty

·Referring to the root causes of irregular and forced migration contributes to the conflation of migration and asylum issues which contributes to jeopardise international protection

·The notion of root causes derives from a very partial understanding of the dynamics sustaining irregular migration, which ignore factors originating in destinationcountries and migration regimes themselves

·      The root causes approach is grounded in simplistic and false assumptions about the nature of the inter-linkages between overall and sectorial development process, irregular, and forced migration. The study points to the significant body of research which suggests that successful development processes in poorer countries of origin do not reduce the inclination to migrate, and may on the contrary increase emigration rates by making extra resources for migration available.

"Irregular and forced migration are likely to result in more negative developmental outcomes than regular and voluntary forms of migration for low and middle-income countries of destination and origin. Therefore, cooperation on migration should aim at promoting regular and voluntary forms of migration", by bearing in mind that "development processes generate internal and international population movement". In this regard, "cooperation in the migration area should aim to enhance migration governance to ensure that these movements take place" in the respect of the human dignity."