Introduction to the special edition - Labor, migration, and mobility: a Lusophone dialogue

Abstract

This special issue was organized to highlight research on the diaspora of Lusophone people, addressing a gap in research on migration involving Lusophone countries comprehensively, encompassing aspects such as demography and, notably, administration, which is our primary focus. In the contemporary context, people’s mobility presents increasingly complex and challenging features, further expanding the scope of migratory analysis. Given the current scenario, some points guided the call for papers that led to this issue of Cadernos EBAPE.BR: a) the dynamics of migration in Portuguese-speaking countries; b) strategies for the labor insertion of individuals who migrate to (or from) Portuguese-speaking countries; c) migrations forced by civil wars, armed conflicts, and/or terrorist attacks, leading to economic disruptions; d) the impact of climate change, inducing migration in search of work; e) examining gender issues and their intersections with migration matters in these countries.

Keywords:
Migration; Mobility; Diaspora; Labor

Resumo

A edição especial objetivou especialmente visibilizar estudos sobre a diáspora de povos lusófonos, dada a escassez de pesquisas sobre migrações que tratam de modo agregado países lusófonos, tanto na área da Demografia quanto em outras áreas, em especial a área para a qual essa edição especial foi pensada: a Administração. Compreendemos que as mobilidades contemporâneas assumem contornos cada vez mais complexos e desafiadores, o que amplia ainda mais a análise do fenômeno migratório. Assim, considerando o cenário contemporâneo, alguns pontos para reflexão nortearam essa chamada de trabalhos, quais sejam: a) os movimentos do projeto migracional em países de língua portuguesa; b) as estratégias para a inserção laboral dos sujeitos que migram para (ou de) países lusófonos; c) as migrações forçadas por guerras civis, ataques armados e/ou terroristas, e a consequente desestruturação das economias; d) as alterações climáticas e sua indução de migrações em busca de trabalho; e) as questões de gênero e suas intersecções com as questões migracionais nesses países.

Palavras-chave:
Migração; Mobilidade; Diáspora; Trabalho

Resumen

La edición especial se propuso visibilizar especialmente los estudios sobre la diáspora de los pueblos lusohablantes, dada la escasez de investigaciones sobre migración que aborden de forma agregada los países lusohablantes, tanto en el área de Demografía como en otras áreas, especialmente la Administración, área para la cual fue pensada esta edición especial. Entendemos que la movilidad contemporánea adquiere contornos cada vez más complejos y desafiantes, lo que amplía aún más el análisis del fenómeno migratorio. Así, considerando el escenario contemporáneo, algunos puntos de reflexión guiaron esta convocatoria de trabajos, a saber: a) los movimientos del proyecto migratorio en los países de habla portuguesa; b) las estrategias para la inserción laboral de personas que migran hacia (o desde) países de habla portuguesa; c) las migraciones forzadas por guerras civiles, ataques armados y/o terroristas, y la consiguiente desestructuración de las economías; d) el cambio climático y su inducción a la migración en busca de trabajo; y e) las cuestiones de género y sus intersecciones con las cuestiones migratorias en esos países.

Palabras clave:
Migración; Movilidad; Diáspora; Trabajo

NTRODUCTION

This special issue of Cadernos EBAPE.BR focused on work-related migrations and mobilities, interpreting migration as a “social practice laden with experiences that are lived, negotiated, and produced within specific spatial contexts” (Dias, 2019, p. 63). In this context, contemporary mobilities exhibit increasingly intricate dynamics. Challenges, transformations, and difficult moments are inherent to the mobility process, whether at regional or international levels. At the time of this call for papers (CFP), despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, migratory movements linked to employment would persist and even intensify, as previous research has suggested (Alon, Doepke, Olmstead-Rumsey, & Tertilt, 2020; Baeninger, Vedovato, & Nandy, 2020; Karim, Islam, & Talukder, 2020).

Studies on migration focusing on Portuguese-speaking countries as a collective entity are rare. A CFP on this topic was conducted by Peixoto and Fernandes in 2011, resulting in articles covering a wide range of subjects, including migration, refuge, regulatory processes, and work-related migration. The motivation behind this publication was to foster the exchange of knowledge and experiences among countries sharing the Portuguese language. As the editors noted (Peixoto & Fernandes, 2011, p. 14), “[...] despite their diverse locations in different parts of the world and varying migratory histories and challenges, the common use of the Portuguese language can facilitate the exchange of ideas.” This approach was influenced by the pioneering work of Maria Ioannis Baganha in 2009, who systematically explored Portuguese-speaking migration, paving the way for a more comprehensive theorization of the Portuguese-speaking migratory system (Marques & Góis, 2011).

LABOR, MIGRATION, AND MOBILITY: A LUSOPHONE DIALOGUE

Profound changes over the past decade have prompted a new call for papers on migration within Portuguese-speaking countries. For instance, in 2019, there were approximately 272 million international migrants, with nearly two-thirds moving for employment-related reasons (McAuliffe & Khadria, 2019). The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported 281 million international migrants in 2020, a figure consistent with 2022 statistics (McAuliffe & Triandafyllidou, 2021). Before the pandemic, projections suggested that by 2050, the global number of displaced individuals would reach 405 million (IOM, 2011). Within the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), migratory exchanges between member states involved approximately 800,000 people in 2019. This number is expected to expand in 2023 following the implementation of the Agreement on Mobility among Member States of the CPLP (United Nations, 2020).

Hence, we can assert that the factors influencing migratory patterns are multifaceted, encompassing economic development, demographic shifts, technological advancements, various crises, conflicts, and, more recently, the impact of the pandemic. These migrations come in diverse forms: personal, forced, regular, irregular, labor, and skilled.

Numerous perspectives remain unexplored in the study of migratory phenomena. King and Lulle (2016) argue that today’s migration is more diverse than ever before, urging us to look beyond classical typologies. Developing countries traditionally approach migration through the lens of poverty. Castles (2010) emphasized the need, 13 years ago, to broaden our perspective and consider factors beyond economics. The author also stressed the importance of new methodological approaches to understand migration as a multifaceted phenomenon involving social, economic, cultural, political, religious, and lifestyle changes (Castles, 2010). New geographies and temporalities are emerging, shaping what Castles calls the “migration mix” and deserving further study.

Over the past decade, several innovative themes have come to the forefront. While refugee movements have long garnered attention, their visibility has significantly increased. Displacements due to environmental factors have gained prominence with the escalating impact of climate change. Specific groups, including students, investors, and retirees, have become subjects of interest. Additionally, new topics have emerged, such as the criminalization of migration and the return of many migrants to their home countries. Lastly, the pandemic has undeniably affected the lives of the most vulnerable and migrants.

Mobilities are impacted by structural racism, amplified by advanced control technologies such as surveillance cameras, mobile phones, license plate tracking, and facial/fingerprint recognition systems. These controls disproportionately affect vulnerable migrants and refugees, who often face criminalization (Handerson & Federico, 2020). This situation leads to violence, abuse, entry denial, and subsequent deportation.

The job market has experienced significant changes, driven by the demand for flexibility and the influence of new technologies. Research has shown a rise in job insecurity and a growing gap between job requirements and qualifications. Simultaneously, we have witnessed the emergence of new work models, such as the gig economy and digital nomadism. Job market segmentation between natives and immigrants is increasing, leading to skilled migrants often occupying unskilled positions. Despite their high qualifications, women frequently find themselves in less qualified roles. Hirata (2009) highlights the link between job insecurity, flexibility, and women’s employment.

The CFP that led to this special issue accepted empirical and theoretical research, essays, and systematic literature reviews that explored the interplay between work, migration, mobility, and the current landscape in Portuguese-speaking countries. The CFP encouraged the submission of studies on migration and refuge addressing topics such as the labor market, segmentation, and job insecurity; the gig economy and digital nomadism; gender and intersectionality in migration studies; return migration; conflicts, civil wars, and labor market disruptions; climate change and emerging labor movements; internal displacements; analysis of migration policies in Portuguese-speaking countries; and labor geography.

The CFP was guided by key questions that are relevant for future similar calls: how have migratory movements occurred among Portuguese-speaking countries? What has led to the migration project in Portuguese-speaking countries? How have changes in the labor market and technological innovations altered migration in this context? What labor insertion strategies for individuals accompany migration to (or from) Portuguese-speaking countries? How have forced migrations occurred due to civil wars, armed and/or terrorist attacks, and the consequent disruption of economies? How does climate change induce work-related migration? What can we learn from what has been happening in terms of migration and the COVID-19 pandemic? How does the intersectionality of gender and migration occur in these countries?

CHALLENGES FACED BY THE CALL FOR PAPERS

The work to elaborate the CFP started in August 2021. During the pandemic, many online meetings were held in order to overcome challenges, such as identifying referees with an interdisciplinary approach in line with our editorial team’s diverse backgrounds, spanning geography, economics, demographics, and administration. Over time, we also encountered the challenging task of managing rejected submissions. Ultimately, we recognized that this topic holds significant scope yet remains relatively unexplored in the administration field. It is crucial to emphasize that, from our perspective, the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) will enhance mobility among Portuguese-speaking nations, making this issue even more pertinent.

The CFP received 13 articles, of which 9 were rejected, 2 were archived, and 2 were accepted for publication. We initially had 13 expanded abstracts on the most varied themes: migrant entrepreneurship, digital nomads, sexuality and intersectionality of migrants, careers and South-South migration, and migrants’ interpersonal skills. All focused on solidarity and recognition of migrants and refugees.

THE ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN THE SPECIAL ISSUE

The approved articles had different focuses, objectives, and methods (one predominantly qualitative and the other quantitative). The rigor with which the methodological procedures were written and detailed in both articles is highlighted. Gabriel do Carmo Yamamoto and Elisa Yoshie Ichikawa explored the daily lives of Brazilian migrants, outlining it masterfully: Brazilians telling their own story, with everyday life as a movement and through micro-resistance facing micro-violence; in particular, showing that emigration is not homogeneous. Field research and first-hand experience are essential, which can be felt in the tender yet firm manner observed in the authors’ discourse.

Leandro de Carvalho’s article focuses on forced displacement and the needs of refugees seeking reception and assistance. Notably, the author carefully selects the term “immigrant in search of refuge” instead of “refugee,” shedding light on Brazil’s historical preference for Eurodescendants. The article also highlights the challenges these populations face when entering the formal job market, as revealed through the research’s portrayal of stereotypes. Carvalho emphasizes that companies must continually adapt their people management practices and work relationships to promote inclusivity.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Finally, we sincerely thank Professor Hélio Arthur Reis Irigaray, the editor of Cadernos EBAPE.BR, without whom this call for papers and discussion would not have been possible. We also extend our special thanks to Fabiana Braga Leal and Jackelyne de Oliveira da Silva from the editorial team for their outstanding and invaluable contributions.

• [Translated version] Note: All quotes in English translated by this article’s translator.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  13 Nov 2023
• Date of issue
  2023

History

• Received
  01 Aug 2023
• Accepted
  27 Aug 2023