Mobility as a livelihood strategy : challenges and transformation of Myanmarese women migrant workers in Mizoram, India
Master thesis
Permanent lenke
http://hdl.handle.net/11250/2507007Utgivelsesdato
2018Metadata
Vis full innførselSamlinger
- Institutt for geografi [1112]
Sammendrag
This thesis explores how mobility as a livelihood strategy transformed the role and livelihoods of Myanmarese women migrant workers in Mizoram, India. Through the use of feminist analytical lens, I presented the experiences and challenges of women migrant workers. Thus, I employed the theory of feminisation of labour migration, feminisation of poverty and work, and accordingly linked to the concepts of gender, mobility, livelihood, and remittances.
The research is conducted with feminist research techniques by interviewing Myanmarese women migrant workers as respondents and other respondents who are familiar with Myanmarese migrants. The findings reveal that mobility as a livelihood strategy has cause Myanmarese women migrant workers to experience certain challenges and transformations upon their arrival and during their stay in Mizoram. It further shows that they are experiencing mobility in a different manner than men. The study also shows that due to their illegal mobility pattern, a large number of Myanmarese women migrant workers are concentrated in the informal labour market, thus, are vulnerable and easily exploited.
The studied women also use remittances to contribute to the livelihood transformation of their families. These remittances are then used to invest in the education of their siblings/children or buy agricultural products to sell them in the local markets and generate income which contribute to maintaining their livelihoods. Thus, contributing to reducing the household poverty and enhancing local development. This study will hopefully contribute to a better understanding of the causes and challenges of using mobility as a livelihood strategy for Myanmarese women migrant workers.