Title: The effects of labor emigration on rural life in Malawi.

POPLINE Document Number: 018184

Author(s):

Boeder RB

Source citation:

Rural Africana, 1973 Spring;(20 Pt 1):37-46.

Abstract:

Great numbers of Malawians have emigrated from their predominantly rural country during the past 80 years to search for work throughout East, Central, and Southern Africa. The Ministry of Labor Report (1962-67) indicated that between 1948-62 a total of 544,000 men, 70,000 women, and 70,000 juveniles had gone to Southern Rhodesia; between 1953-67 approximately 360,000 men went to South Africa; and during those years roughly 69,000 men, 25,000 women, and 30,000 juveniles had made the journey to neighboring Zambia. Smaller numbers have traveled to Mozambique, Zaire, and Tanzania, but the total number of Malawians affected by emigration during the 20th century numbers into the millions. Early accounts of the exodus emphasized the suffering in rural areas resulting from the absence of so many men. This paper, while not denying this fact, suggests that the disastrous effects may have been exaggerated initially, that communal institutions absorbed some of the social shock, and that after the mid 1930s interterritorial labor agreements mitigated the worst economic consequences of emigration. The number of men who could be away from home at any 1 time without causing undue distress to village life has been the topic of diverse estimates. Van Velsen figured that 60-75% of Tonga adult men were absent but stated that there were no serious signs of disorganization in Tonga society. A Belgian Congo Commission reported that not more than 5% of the men could be absent for long periods without adversely affecting local life. Since most migrant analysts concur that the primary motive behind Malawian emigration is economic, encouraging the planning of cash crops must be the proper inducement for men to remain at home. Malawi's 1939 Labor Department Report stated that "emigration is unjust to women in every way," but the songs of the women reveal a less dogmatic attitude toward the traveling of their menfolk. Throughout the 20th century governmental authorities have sought ways to control "free flow" independent emigration which has been more popular than contractual arrangements. Malawians always preferred to choose their own employer rather than to offer themselves to the merices of recruiting agents, but controls were needed. The entire question of the internal effects of labor migration on Malawi's social and economic development needs further study. The relationship of migrants to the government's long range plans to replace traditional land tenure arrangements with private ownerhsip of land is a vital area of study.

Keywords:

Malawi
International Migration
Migration
Population Dynamics
Migrants
Literature Review
Africa, Southern
Africa South of the Sahara
Africa
Developing Countries
Demographic Factors
Population