Migration pakistanischer Arbeitskräfte in die arabischen Erdölstaaten und ihre sozioökonomischen Implikationen für Pakistan

Abstract

Since 1973 Arab oil-countries have increasingly become immigrating countries. A significant part of immigrating workers has come from Pakistan. This article discusses the impact this emigration from Pakistan has on its socio-economic development. Part 2 tries to determine the scale of migration. Part 3 then shows the consequences of migration as they have become apparent by now. Particularly the volume, investment and distribution of remittances of overseas Pakistanis as well as the impact of migration on the labour market are considered. It is shown that the positive effects of remittances are partly offset by significant negative effects which result in shortages on the labour market. Since migration of Pakistani workers to Arab oil-countries is only temporary, most of the overseas Pakistanis can be expected to retum to Pakistan. The consequences of return migration are dealt with in part 4. It is shown that the returnees will face various problems with regard to their reintegration. The last part then reflects upon the future development of emigration from and remigration to Pakistan. Since the economic performance of the Arab oilcountries largely depends on foreign workers their number will not decrease rapidly in the next years. However, there will only be a small number of unskilled workers who will find job opportunities in these countries.