Abstract
This paper aims to improve our understanding of migration-development links by
comparing the Mexico-US and Morocco-EU cases. Despite significant differences,
Mexico and Morocco share a common geopolitical location on the global South-North
migration frontier and a common position as prime reserves of low-cost, low-skilled
migrant labour for the US and the EU. The analysis highlights the large extent to which
Mexican and Moroccan migration is determined by business cycles and political, economic
and labour-market transformations in the US and the EU. Mexican and
Moroccan migration patterns and trends show striking similarities. Persistent economic
gaps and migrant networks partly explain why, despite recruitment freezes in Mexico
(1964) and Morocco (1973) and increasing border controls, migration has endured
through family and irregular migration and a diversification of migration origins and
destinations. Simultaneously, economic liberalisation and labour-market transformations
in origin and destination countries have increased supply and demand for casual
and informal labour in the service sector, agriculture and construction. In spite of surging
remittances and the considerable contributions of Mexican and Moroccan migrants to
improved living standards in origin areas, migration cannot overcome structural
development obstacles and deeply ingrained political and economic inequalities in
Morocco and Mexico. In fact, migration may deepen such inequalities and deflect the
attention away from states’ failure to create favourable conditions for equitable
development.
comparing the Mexico-US and Morocco-EU cases. Despite significant differences,
Mexico and Morocco share a common geopolitical location on the global South-North
migration frontier and a common position as prime reserves of low-cost, low-skilled
migrant labour for the US and the EU. The analysis highlights the large extent to which
Mexican and Moroccan migration is determined by business cycles and political, economic
and labour-market transformations in the US and the EU. Mexican and
Moroccan migration patterns and trends show striking similarities. Persistent economic
gaps and migrant networks partly explain why, despite recruitment freezes in Mexico
(1964) and Morocco (1973) and increasing border controls, migration has endured
through family and irregular migration and a diversification of migration origins and
destinations. Simultaneously, economic liberalisation and labour-market transformations
in origin and destination countries have increased supply and demand for casual
and informal labour in the service sector, agriculture and construction. In spite of surging
remittances and the considerable contributions of Mexican and Moroccan migrants to
improved living standards in origin areas, migration cannot overcome structural
development obstacles and deeply ingrained political and economic inequalities in
Morocco and Mexico. In fact, migration may deepen such inequalities and deflect the
attention away from states’ failure to create favourable conditions for equitable
development.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1041-1065 |
| Journal | Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Jun 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |