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Project 5b
Replacement Seasonal Labour Migration
in Sylhet, Bangladesh
Summary
Building closely upon research carried out in the 1980s/1990s
in Sylhet, North East Bangladesh, this research, rather than focusing
upon one social category in isolation (e.g. 'the landless'), aims
to show how different forms of migration are linked, both economically
and in terms of the ways in which households and individuals calculate
risks and benefits. The context is one in which prolonged out-migration,
primarily to the UK, but also to the Middle East, the US and Far
East, has been the norm since the 1960s. As a result, local property
prices and wages are far higher than in surrounding, non bideshi
(overseas migrant) districts of Bangladesh. In turn, agricultural
and domestic workers migrate into the area from poorer regions to
take advantage of the increased employment opportunities and higher
wages. This research will focus in particular on women and child
migrants.
Key Research Questions
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What are the organisation and dynamics of
different types of internal migration into areas of overseas
migration in Sylhet, and how is this linked to international
migration? |
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How do poverty and vulnerability, as well
as perceived opportunities affect decisions to migrate into
areas of overseas migration from elsewhere in Bangladesh? |
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To what extent is the distribution of the
costs and benefits of internal migration gendered? |
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