Mobility as Development Strategy: the case of the Pacific Islands

Type Journal Article - Asia-Pacific Population Journal
Title Mobility as Development Strategy: the case of the Pacific Islands
Author(s)
Volume 26
Issue 4
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
Page numbers 57-72
URL https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286859337_Mobility_as_development_strategy_The_case_of_the_​Pacific_Islands
Abstract
Migration is often portrayed in terms of net gain or loss in which remittances provide compensation for those States or territories which are seen as disadvantaged in the competition for especially skilled workers. In the Pacific region, this dichotomy is illustrated through the loss for countries of origin (Pacific Island countries and territories) of their "best and brightest" to the region's larger and more prosperous States. This has occurred to such an extent that many see the limited development gains made by small island States and territories in the post World War Two period as being, for the most part, explained by the failure to counter the resulting inequalities in both "brain drain" and "brain gain". This article argues, though, that such a dichotomy misses those shared development gains reaped through increased labour mobility. Indeed, migratioti can underpin a "development dividend" for the region through the enhancement of increased mobility, including for low-skilled workers. Recent schemes have sought to balance both migration opportunities and development needs. Wliile these are promising, much more could be done to support the conditions in which Pacific Islanders of all socio-economic status can circulate.

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