The new colonialism: Migrants valuable if useful, burden if not

ISTANBUL

People migrate to other countries, whether by choice or necessity, based not on their personal qualifications or desires but on the conditions of the destination. However, these countries often prioritize migration based on their needs and interests rather than humanitarian concerns.

The third part of Anadolu’s four-part series, "A New Form of Colonialism: Migration," examines why descendants of those once exploited are now preferred by developed countries, including interviews with key individuals involved in the migration process.

Ivan Lopez, a Colombian who chose to migrate despite a successful career in his home country, explained that the US was experiencing a shortage of human resources and expertise in communication technologies at the time. He noted that he was hired in the US because training someone from scratch would have required additional time and resources.

Many developed countries reduce their financial and labor costs by attracting migrants from specific professions, as was the case for Lopez.

Number of migrants triples in 50 years

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported in its 2022 World Migration Report that the number of international migrants has more than tripled in the last 50 years. Data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that this upward trend continued into 2023.

Whereas earlier colonialism focused on raw materials, natural resources, and trade routes, the emphasis in the 20th and 21st centuries has shifted toward human resources. Once justified as a means of "bringing civilization" to other regions, this trend has evolved into reclaiming that "civilization" through human labor.

The IOM notes that most migrants live in Europe (87 million) and Asia (86 million), which together account for 61% of the global migrant population.

Colonial legacy and modern migration policies

Former colonial powers that once plundered civilizations and perpetrated atrocities now benefit from a system of reverse exploitation. While they contributed to the underdevelopment of many regions, they have established mechanisms to extract labor at minimal or no cost.

Lopez identified two primary routes for Colombians migrating to the US: obtaining a tourist visa and overstaying or applying for jobs beforehand. He observed that the US frequently favors workers from Latin America in sectors like agriculture to address local labor shortages.

Metin Corabatir, president of the Research Center on Asylum and Migration (IGAM), noted that countries decide whether migrants will contribute positively or negatively to the host society. In this context, talent, education, and specific needs are critical components of migration policies.

Hussein Kako, a Syrian refugee, shared his experience as an irregular migrant to Norway in 2015. Despite not meeting visa requirements, he was granted asylum due to the conflict in his home country. He described the treacherous journey, which involved 40 people crammed into a small boat in search of a better life.

Skilled workers valued

Ajani Wadiod, a Sri Lankan immigrant and consultant for the Australian Education Ministry, highlighted that most migrants in Australia are skilled workers. The country allocates visas based on quotas tailored to labor market demands, including engineers, doctors, teachers, and nurses.

Wadiod emphasized that, beyond education and skills, migrants must also pass language proficiency exams. Ali Zafer Sagiroglu, a faculty member at Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University in the Turkish capital, explained that countries prefer to attract professionals such as doctors and engineers through education or direct migration, as training these individuals is both costly and time-consuming.

Wadiod added that Australia highly values qualified migrants, stating, "If you have the right skills, you are welcomed."

Double standards

Not all migrants enjoy the same opportunities. Wadiod recounted the story of a family who arrived in Australia by boat and spent nearly five years in detention centers before gaining citizenship.

Describing life in detention as "hell," he said that although the family eventually became citizens, they decided to return to their home country, finding the challenges in Australia too overwhelming.

Points-based system for migration

Talking about Australia’s immigration policies, Pakistani Fawad Khan said the country employs a points-based system to evaluate applicants. He highlighted that South Australia offers extra points to attract migrants to less populated regions, thus increasing their chances of acceptance.

Khan explained that applicants must meet a specific score to qualify for migration, and certain regions may provide bonus points to address labor shortages. He observed that applications to smaller states have a higher likelihood of approval due to their population needs.

*Writing by Efe Ozkan