How is COVID-19 reshaping temporary and circular labour migration: Serbia and North Macedonia perspectives

Q4 Social Sciences

Forum Geografic Pub Date : 2021-06-30 DOI:10.5775/fg.2021.051.i

Vesna Lukić, Jelena Predojevic-Despic, V. Janeska, Aleksandra Lozanoska

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引用次数: 5

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused migrant workers worldwide to face numerous and specific challenges. This study aims to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic and its societal impact have influenced temporary and circular migrants from Serbia and North Macedonia. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 50 participants to gain a deeper understanding of their challenges and migration practices. Temporary circular labour migration from Serbia and North Macedonia are most intensive towards EU countries, which are geographically close and well-connected by traffic, and with which migrants have well-established migration ties. The results show that after the outbreak of the pandemic, respondents faced termination of employment contracts, reduced working hours and earnings. Most of the respondents returned and only a few found formal employment in the country of origin. Job-related impacts of COVID-19 on respondents are determined by temporary residence, a form of employment and the employment sector. Temporary and circular migrant workers from Serbia and North Macedonia involved in the essential sectors in EU countries are less likely to be severely affected by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results suggest that temporary and circular migration schemes should be improved after the pandemic, in a way that is sustainable even in times of sudden changes. In that regard, in addition to considering the needs of the labour markets of countries of origin and destination, the needs and the rights of migrants, should be prioritized in common solutions. © 2021 University of Craiova, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Geography. All rights reserved.

查看原文本刊更多论文

COVID-19如何重塑临时和循环劳动力迁移:塞尔维亚和北马其顿的观点

2019冠状病毒病大流行使世界各地的移徙工人面临许多具体挑战。本研究旨在确定COVID-19大流行及其社会影响如何影响来自塞尔维亚和北马其顿的临时和循环移民。我们对50名参与者进行了半结构化的深度访谈，以更深入地了解他们面临的挑战和移民实践。来自塞尔维亚和北马其顿的临时循环劳动力迁移最集中于欧盟国家，这些国家地理位置接近，交通便利，移民与这些国家建立了良好的移民关系。调查结果显示，疫情爆发后，受访者面临劳动合同终止、工作时间减少和收入减少的问题。大多数答复者返回，只有少数人在原籍国找到正式工作。COVID-19对受访者的工作相关影响取决于临时居住、一种就业形式和就业部门。在欧盟国家重要部门工作的来自塞尔维亚和北马其顿的临时和循环移民工人不太可能受到2019冠状病毒病大流行经济影响的严重影响。结果表明，在大流行之后，应以即使在突然变化时期也是可持续的方式改进临时和循环移民计划。在这方面，除了考虑原籍国和目的地国劳动力市场的需要外，在共同解决办法中还应优先考虑移徙者的需要和权利。©2021克拉约瓦大学社会科学学院地理系。版权所有。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Forum Geografic Earth and Planetary Sciences-Earth-Surface Processes

CiteScore

0.70

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

12 weeks

期刊介绍： Founded in 2002, Forum geografic. Studii de geografie şi protecţia mediului aims to publish high quality research in the domains of geography, environment protection and other related domains. It addresses a range of issues, such as geomorphology, pedology, climatology, hydrology, human geography and environment. Its content is directed to a broad audience, including both academics and policymakers. The papers selected for publication in the journal are subject to a review process using references from universities worldwide.