Moving out of poverty - making migration work better for poor people

Migration remains a controversial issue. People talk about the impact of irregular migration, the loss of much-needed skills, social tensions and the rights of newcomers. This paper, published by the Department for International Development (DFID) aims to contribute to this debate and illustrates how well-managed migration can be a positive force for development.

The paper sets out DFID’s policy, which is shaped by its mission to reduce poverty, and is consistent with the current UK policy framework on immigration, including the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate Review. The aim of DFID’s work on migration is to increase the benefits and reduce the risks of migration for poor people and developing countries. The authors focus on poor people who make the decision to leave their home and move through regular channels within their country of origin, or across international borders, in an attempt to improve their economic situation. It recognises that movement within national borders and defined regions is by far the most significant form of migration for poor people, and can help reduce poverty.

The authors point out that, given the range of benefits and risks that can result from migration, it is important that migration policies take account of their impact on poverty reduction and vice versa. To maximise the benefits and reduce the risks of migration for poor people and developing countries, a number of important issues need to be addressed:

• managing migration at national level and planning for internal mobility
• opportunities for legal migration including low-skilled migration where these meet the labour-market needs of receiving countries
• facilitating the circulation of highly skilled migrants
• migrants’ access to their human rights and their legitimate entitlements under national law
• low-cost and secure mechanisms for sending remittances and investing them in poor communitie
• support for positive diaspora activity
• managing migration at regional and international levels.