This document discusses economic migration and its relationship to multicultural societies. It defines economic migration as movement between countries for better economic opportunities, traditionally from less economically developed countries to more developed ones. Case studies examine migration patterns from Mexico to the US and North Africa to Europe. Economic migrants often have hopes for better lives but can face difficulties like poor working conditions and discrimination. Push factors encourage emigration while pull factors attract immigration. Multicultural societies result from migration but can involve prejudice towards minority groups.

1. Economic Migration

2. Specification The relationship between international migration and multi-cultural societies. Major forms of international migration. Using case studies look at examples of economic, social, refugee and illegal movements.

3. What is economic migration? Economic migration is where people move to other countries to benefit from their greater economic opportunities. Traditionally this is from LEDCs in the developing south to MEDCs in the affluent north. The main areas for economic migration are: Mexico to the USA, north Africa to Europe, and from territories to their former mother country.

4. International Migration This chart shows the number of migrants entering and leaving the 6 continents. Above the line indicates migrants are entering the country which suggests they are moving here for employment, and wealth. Below the line indicates people are moving out of these areas for economic and health reasons.

5. Case Study : Mexico  USA

6. Mexico  USA In 1980’s 3.5 million migrants entered the USA from Mexico of which 700,000 are legal, 2.3 million were legalised and 500,000 were illegal. The huge wealth gap between Mexico and the neighbouring USA promotes this movement. People move to look for casual employment in farming in the southwest.

7. Hopes and Fears Many economic migrants find the reality is very different from their dreams. Some people experience hostility from their new countrymen and feel that they are treated as second class citizens. Many immigrants work in low paid jobs that no one else want to do. Also there is little protection from unscrupulous employers who take advantage of these illegal workers, in the terms and conditions they offer. As a result, many economic immigrants live in appalling conditions and again find themselves in the poverty trap they sought to leave behind.

8. Push Factors The problems of an area that encourage people to leave are known as push factors. Examples include: Natural disasters Lack of employment Low pay, and poor standard of living Poor housing Lack of educational opportunities Shortage of medical facilities and services War and/or persecution

9. Pull Factors The attractions of a area that migrants move to are called pull factors. They include Better employment opportunities Better education chances, including higher education Better medical care Higher wages, and improved standard of living The bright lights, that is entertainments like pubs and clubs

10. Case Study : North Africa  Europe

11. North Africa  Europe Migration has changed in Africa over the last 100 years. Migration has changed from a mainly male based population to a more balanced gender percentage. Migration has become more commercial with less labour seeking migrants and more entrepreneurs.

12. Problems with Migration AIDS pandemic in Africa creates a problem in Europe with migrants passing on the disease. African migrants are adopting more sophisticated, daring, and evasive methods to elude increasingly tight border controls and enter countries in the developed North. Brain drain in Africa as the educated elite are migrating into Europe leaving Africa with fewer professionals.

13. Resolutions in Africa African countries are encouraging regional migration so that certain professionals can be distributed evenly across the countries. The free movement of people in Africa has been introduced to help promote this theory. Providing more jobs to reduce the levels of unemployed persons in Africa and more incentive to stay in their mother country. Confronting leaders to provide economic, social, and political stability within their country.

14. Attitudes to Migration Migrants may not have equal opportunities in obtaining employment, and may be subject to discrimination. The cost for housing, educating, and unemployment causes resentment within tax paying residents. The government policy of constructing ‘safe centres’ causes racial unrest. Attitude to migration depends on economic stability of host country. If in period of recession, migrants are accused of taking jobs. However when in period of economic growth migrants residents do not worry about migrants.

15. Multicultural Societies This is a result of migration of various ethnic groups. In most countries there is at least one minority group which results in prejudice and discrimination towards this group. Skin colour is a visible distinction between people, but they vary in terms of language, religion and culture. Multicultural societies may be a result of an oppression in the migrant’s mother country causing migration to another country.

16. Multicultural Society in South Africa For a long time the white minority in South Africa was in political and economic control. The black population making up 75% had virtually no say in the running of the country. In 1946 the policy of apartheid was introduced. This meant that mixed race were now considered “coloureds”. Indians were second class and blacks had no rights outside their homeland. Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1994 and more ethnic stability followed. However there are still many black people living in poverty and high unemployment.