Ahsan Ullah
University of Brunei Darussalam, Geography and Development, Faculty Member
- noneedit
- AKM Ahsan Ullah is Associate Professor and Deputy Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (graduate studies and res... moreAKM Ahsan Ullah is Associate Professor and Deputy Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (graduate studies and research) at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). Dr Ullah worked at the American University in Cairo (AUC), Saint Mary’s University, University of Ottawa, McMaster University, Dalhousie University, Canada; City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. He has extensively contributed to refereed journals. He contributed at least 35 chapters in a number of books and published 17 books.edit
- Prof. Kevin Hewisonedit
The paper explores the profile of the Sex Workers (SW) in Bangladesh; and the ordeals faced by them. 221 randomly selected respondents from three categories of sex workers (Hotel, brothel and floating) were interviewed using both close... more
The paper explores the profile of the Sex Workers (SW) in Bangladesh; and the ordeals faced by them. 221 randomly selected respondents from three categories of sex workers (Hotel, brothel and floating) were interviewed using both close and open-ended ...
Remittances have been one of the most critical components of the population migration debate. Since migration has been studied academically, the ‘remittance equals cash’ idea has dominated other types of remittances. This study focuses on... more
Remittances have been one of the most critical components of the population migration debate. Since migration has been studied academically, the ‘remittance equals cash’ idea has dominated other types of remittances. This study focuses on in-kind remittances, which are transfers of goods and services sent by migrants (other than money) from their destination country. We examined the literature using content analysis. The research investigates how a nation takes shape through the injection of remittances in kind (RK) brought by ‘migrant populations’ of both origins and destinations, using empirical and theoretical evidence. RK are worth considering for a variety of reasons, the most important of which is that they play an essential part in international collectivist development. Second, they highlight the societal effects of migration. Third, they have a chance of gaining public support. With great transformative power, RK has the capacity to alter a nation’s economy, values and life...
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Purpose HIV or AIDS remains invisible and dismissed by most South Asians living in Canada as HIV or AIDS issues are perceived as an offshoot of Western lifestyle linked with drug use and promiscuity. This paper aims to look into how... more
Purpose HIV or AIDS remains invisible and dismissed by most South Asians living in Canada as HIV or AIDS issues are perceived as an offshoot of Western lifestyle linked with drug use and promiscuity. This paper aims to look into how people living with HIV or AIDS (PLWHA) cope with prejudice and stigma. Design/methodology/approach To guide this research, a constructivist grounded theory approach was adopted as the theoretical and methodological framework. The authors reached the participants through a Toronto-based group that works with PLWHA. The authors chose their respondents in a snowball method and interviewed them both in person and online. Findings This paper identifies how South Asian immigrants and refugees/refugees with HIV or AIDS claimants are vulnerable to discrimination in Canada due to the following factors, which include but are not limited to: a lack of information about HIV and AIDS incidence in the community; and the Canadian health system's inability to respon...
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Purpose-HIV or AIDS remains invisible and dismissed by most South Asians living in Canada as HIV or AIDS issues are perceived as an offshoot of Western lifestyle linked with drug use and promiscuity. This paper aims to look into how... more
Purpose-HIV or AIDS remains invisible and dismissed by most South Asians living in Canada as HIV or AIDS issues are perceived as an offshoot of Western lifestyle linked with drug use and promiscuity. This paper aims to look into how people living with HIV or AIDS (PLWHA) cope with prejudice and stigma. Design/methodology/approach-To guide this research, a constructivist grounded theory approach was adopted as the theoretical and methodological framework. The authors reached the participants through a Toronto-based group that works with PLWHA. The authors chose their respondents in a snowball method and interviewed them both in person and online. Findings-This paper identifies how South Asian immigrants and refugees/refugees with HIV or AIDS claimants are vulnerable to discrimination in Canada due to the following factors, which include but are not limited to: a lack of information about HIV and AIDS incidence in the community; and the Canadian health system's inability to respond appropriately to the lack of information. Practical implications-HIV service engagements should take place within the context of a constellation of local traditions, or standardized expectations of patient engagement with HIV services can be counterproductive. Originality/value-It is critical that governmental action prioritizes increasing public understanding of stigma. To minimize the consequences of HIV-related discrimination and stigma, misconceptions about HIV transmission must be debunked.
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The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how a lack of policy attention has exacerbated the extreme circumstances faced by the Rohingya and how they can contribute to deterioration of their health, livelihood, and education, as well... more
The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how a lack of policy attention has exacerbated the extreme circumstances faced by the Rohingya and how they can contribute to deterioration of their health, livelihood, and education, as well as their repatriation to their homeland. This article is based on data collected from field observations and interviews prior to and during the pandemic. This study confirms that the Rohingya refugee populations endure a higher level of suffering from lack of food security and livelihood, lack of basic amenities and financial resources, and accommodation is overcrowded compared with the prepandemic period. The lack of a specific policy for the Rohingya has compounded the current situation in Bangladesh. This research is crucial for countries receiving refugees as well as the countries from which they flee and other actors.
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Purpose-HIV or AIDS remains invisible and dismissed by most South Asians living in Canada as HIV or AIDS issues are perceived as an offshoot of Western lifestyle linked with drug use and promiscuity. This paper aims to look into how... more
Purpose-HIV or AIDS remains invisible and dismissed by most South Asians living in Canada as HIV or AIDS issues are perceived as an offshoot of Western lifestyle linked with drug use and promiscuity. This paper aims to look into how people living with HIV or AIDS (PLWHA) cope with prejudice and stigma. Design/methodology/approach-To guide this research, a constructivist grounded theory approach was adopted as the theoretical and methodological framework. The authors reached the participants through a Toronto-based group that works with PLWHA. The authors chose their respondents in a snowball method and interviewed them both in person and online. Findings-This paper identifies how South Asian immigrants and refugees/refugees with HIV or AIDS claimants are vulnerable to discrimination in Canada due to the following factors, which include but are not limited to: a lack of information about HIV and AIDS incidence in the community; and the Canadian health system's inability to respond appropriately to the lack of information. Practical implications-HIV service engagements should take place within the context of a constellation of local traditions, or standardized expectations of patient engagement with HIV services can be counterproductive. Originality/value-It is critical that governmental action prioritizes increasing public understanding of stigma. To minimize the consequences of HIV-related discrimination and stigma, misconceptions about HIV transmission must be debunked.
Research Interests:
This introductory article contextualises the ongoing pandemic and the significance of this themed issue by highlighting the relevance of the seven articles in this issue. All the articles have identified different intersections between... more
This introductory article contextualises the ongoing pandemic and the significance of this themed issue by highlighting the relevance of the seven articles in this issue. All the articles have identified different intersections between Asia Pacific’s migrant population and the global pandemic and demonstrated from various perspectives how the COVID-19 pandemic have had an impact on the migrant population in Asia Pacific. The common thread that binds the articles throughout the entire issue is that the pandemic has disproportionately affected the migrant population.
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Migration has appeared as a constitutive aspect of global reality today. While the COVID-19 pandemic has spared no single community, the migrant population has been the hardest hit. The woes of this population have been exacerbated by... more
Migration has appeared as a constitutive aspect of global reality today. While the COVID-19 pandemic has spared no single community, the migrant population has been the hardest hit. The woes of this population have been exacerbated by imposed immobility, restrictions, xenophobic treatment, residential status, poor living conditions, and limited access to health and protection. Millions of jobs have vanished. Millions of migrants got stranded either in their destination or origin countries and are unsure if they can return to their work. Against this backdrop, they try to stand up by seeking resilience. This study looks into how migrants in varying situations—those who returned home, those trapped in transit, and those who remained in the host nations—gain stability in the devastating pandemic. While a wealth of literature has been generated, the issue of migrants’ resilience has received little attention. This article employs content analysis to examine the gravity of the impact of ...
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This article aims to determine the vulnerability of migrant populations to COVID-19. Between March 2020 and November 2021, informal interviews with respondents who were stranded in various parts of the world were conducted through Skype... more
This article aims to determine the vulnerability of migrant populations to COVID-19. Between March 2020 and November 2021, informal interviews with respondents who were stranded in various parts of the world were conducted through Skype and WhatsApp. COVID-19 endangers millions of individuals who were stranded between their homes and their destinations and who were compelled to reside in overcrowded accommodation where the ideas of "stay home," "keep safe," and "social distancing" have little significance.
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Migration has appeared as a constitutive aspect of global reality today. While the COVID-19 pandemic has spared no single community, the migrant population has been the hardest hit. The woes of this population have been exacerbated by... more
Migration has appeared as a constitutive aspect of global reality today. While the COVID-19 pandemic has spared no single community, the migrant population has been the hardest hit. The woes of this population have been exacerbated by imposed immobility, restrictions, xenophobic treatment, residential status, poor living conditions, and limited access to health and protection. Millions of jobs have vanished. Millions of migrants got stranded either in their destination or origin countries and are unsure if they can return to their work. Against this backdrop, they try to stand up by seeking resilience. This study looks into how migrants in varying situations—those who returned home, those trapped in transit, and those who remained in the host nations—gain stability in the devastating pandemic. While a wealth of literature has been generated, the issue of migrants’ resilience has received little attention. This article employs content analysis to examine the gravity of the impact of the pandemic on the migrants and the process of developing their resilience. This article contributes to the broader debate about the dynamics of migration, COVID-19, and resilience. This research has implications for the policymakers of both the receiving and sending countries.
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This introductory article contextualises the ongoing pandemic and the significance of this themed issue by highlighting the relevance of the seven articles in this issue. All the articles have identified different intersections between... more
This introductory article contextualises the ongoing pandemic and the significance of this themed issue by highlighting the relevance of the seven articles in this issue. All the articles have identified different intersections between Asia Pacific's migrant population and the global pandemic and demonstrated from various perspectives how the COVID-19 pandemic have had an impact on the migrant population in Asia Pacific. The common thread that binds the articles throughout the entire issue is that the pandemic has disproportionately affected the migrant population.
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Protests in Hong Kong over plans to allow extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China is going on since mid-2019. These reforms are seen as a threat to Hong Kongers’ freedom. The protesters expanded their demands for democratic reform... more
Protests in Hong Kong over plans to allow extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China is going on since mid-2019. These reforms are seen as a threat to Hong Kongers’ freedom. The protesters expanded their demands for democratic reform and opposition to Beijing’s introduction to a new national security law. Following the continued protests, the UK government invited over five million Hong Kong residents to relocate to the country. The purpose of this article is to delve into why the UK welcomes Hong Kong residents to apply for citizenship. During the economic impact of COVID-19 and Brexit on the UK, this invitation raises questions about its intention. Since the Brexit referendum, immigration has plummeted, perhaps resulting in a labour shortage. This study has significant policy implications for Hong Kong, China and the UK.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, it intends to engage in skill gain–lose debate in the contemporary global skill mobility context; and second, it looks into whether Southeast Asia (SEA) is losing by experiencing skill... more
Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, it intends to engage in skill gain–lose debate in the contemporary global skill mobility context; and second, it looks into whether Southeast Asia (SEA) is losing by experiencing skill deficiency due to over outflow of talents. Design/methodology/approach Primary data were collected through interviews with policy makers, stakeholder and migrant professionals from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. Findings The paper comes up with the brain drain dynamics to better understand the trajectory of skill mobility in and from SEA. Within the skill mobility discourse, it is undoubtedly difficult to conclude who are the losers and the gainers in the long run. Originality/value This research is based on relatively small sample. However, this offers a fresh insight into the skill deficiency dynamics in Southeast Asia.
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This article discusses human traffi cking within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) in relation to the strengthened inter-state economic and infrastructural co-operation and connectivity, taking the life history of sex workers in Thailand... more
This article discusses human traffi cking within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) in relation to the strengthened inter-state economic and infrastructural co-operation and connectivity, taking the life history of sex workers in Thailand into account. Over the last decades, Thailand became known as a hub of entertainment sectors. Traffi ckers often use socio-economic integration in the GMS to their advantage. A large number of traffi cked women ends up in the Thai entertainment industry doing sex work in confi ned conditions similar to slavery. Poor women are often lured by false promises of well-paid jobs abroad and pay exorbitant fees to agents for such an opportunity. Intermediaries introduce family members to agents who promise to make arrangements for the relevant documentation and transportation across borders. Traffi ckers use their own marked routes to transport their prey which are more invisible than generally could be imagined.
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Protests in Hong Kong over plans to allow extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China is going on since mid-2019. These reforms are seen as a threat to Hong Kongers' freedom. The protesters expanded their demands for democratic reform... more
Protests in Hong Kong over plans to allow extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China is going on since mid-2019. These reforms are seen as a threat to Hong Kongers' freedom. The protesters expanded their demands for democratic reform and opposition to Beijing's introduction to a new national security law. Following the continued protests, the UK government invited over five million Hong Kong residents to relocate to the country. The purpose of this article is to delve into why the UK welcomes Hong Kong residents to apply for citizenship. During the economic impact of COVID-19 and Brexit on the UK, this invitation raises questions about its intention. Since the Brexit referendum, immigration has plummeted, perhaps resulting in a labour shortage. This study has significant policy implications for Hong Kong, China and the UK.
Research Interests:
Remittances have been one of the most critical components of the population migration debate. Since migration has been studied academically, the 'remittance equals cash' idea has dominated other types of remittances. This study focuses on... more
Remittances have been one of the most critical components of the population migration debate. Since migration has been studied academically, the 'remittance equals cash' idea has dominated other types of remittances. This study focuses on in-kind remittances, which are transfers of goods and services sent by migrants (other than money) from their destination country. We examined the literature using content analysis. The research investigates how a nation takes shape through the injection of remittances in kind (RK) brought by 'migrant populations' of both origins and destinations, using empirical and theoretical evidence. RK are worth considering for a variety of reasons, the most important of which is that they play an essential part in international collectivist development. Second, they highlight the societal effects of migration. Third, they have a chance of gaining public support. With great transformative power, RK has the capacity to alter a nation's economy, values and lifestyle. This article establishes for the first time, by re-conceptualizing conventional wisdom, that the major development paradigm shift that has occurred in Asia's economies over the decades has been largely due to the contribution of RK brought and sent to by individuals such as Gandhi in India, Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, Shinawatra in Thailand, Jose Rizal in the Philippines and Suu Kyi in Myanmar. We conducted qualitative research and relied heavily on secondary data sources. This article delves into a
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Can Rohingya refugees in the camps maintain, despite their best intentions, social or physical distance— the best way, so far, to slow the spread of coronavirus? A severe hurricane suddenly joggled the planet. We slept in one world and... more
Can Rohingya refugees in the camps maintain, despite their best intentions, social or physical distance— the best way, so far, to slow the spread of coronavirus? A severe hurricane suddenly joggled the planet. We slept in one world and woke up in another. The Coronavirus made us believe that great wars do not need great causes. As if we are fighting the fire.
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There has been little research on the significance of religion in migration studies. The objective of this article is twofold: first, to explain religion as a complexly intertwined concept within migration discourses; second, to examine... more
There has been little research on the significance of religion in migration studies. The objective of this article is twofold: first, to explain religion as a complexly intertwined concept within migration discourses; second, to examine the implications of various terminologies such as Islamism, political Islam, and the politicization of Islam in the modern world within a broad migration framework. We have chosen 11 respondents from different countries by snow-ball technique to interview. The paper argues that religion becomes crucial to people’s migratory experiences, aiming to construct a theoretically informed link between religion and migration. The study emphasizes the significance of international standards in ensuring migrants’ ‘religious rights’ in host countries. The interesting thing is that migrants bring their religious beliefs, practices, and way of life with them, enriching destination countries by exposing them to new cultures and fostering social cohesiveness via peaceful coexistence.
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All the chapters contained in this volume are original contributions from scholars with an expertise on Middle Eastern and migration issues. They were prepared for the Gulf Labour Markets and Migration (GLMM) programme’s workshop entitled... more
All the chapters contained in this volume are original contributions from scholars with an expertise on Middle Eastern and migration issues. They were prepared for the Gulf Labour Markets and Migration (GLMM) programme’s workshop entitled “The Role of Legislation, Policies, and Practices in Irregular Migration to the Gulf ” held at the University of Cambridge from August 24-27, 2015 in the framework of the Sixth Gulf Research Meeting (GRM) organised by the Gulf Research Centre Cambridge (GRCC).
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In 70 countries worldwide, there is an estimated 370 million indigenous peoples, and their rich diversity of cultures, religions, traditions, languages and histories has been significant source of our scholarships. However, the health... more
In 70 countries worldwide, there is an estimated 370 million indigenous peoples, and their rich diversity of cultures, religions, traditions, languages and histories has been significant source of our scholarships. However, the health status of this population group is far below than that of non-indigenous populations by all standards. Could the persisting reluctance to understand the influence of self-governance, globalization and social determinants of health in the lives of these people be deemed as a contributor to the poor health of indigenous peoples?
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According to the United Nations, the Rohingya people are the most persecuted minority group in the world. The atrocities perpetrated by Myanmar authorities could by any reckoning be called ethnic cleansing. This paper delves into the... more
According to the United Nations, the Rohingya people are the most persecuted minority group in the world. The atrocities perpetrated by Myanmar authorities could by any reckoning be called ethnic cleansing. This paper delves into the level of discrimination against the Rohingya population perpetrated by Myanmar authorities in myriad of ways. A team of researchers interviewed 37 victims. The pattern of persecution goes back to 1948 – the year when the country achieved independence from their British colonizers. Today, this population group is the single largest “stateless” community after Palestinians in the world. Their “statelessness” or lack of citizenship increases their vulnerability owing to the lack of entitlements to any legal protection from the government. Without citizenship, they are deprived of basic rights such as access to health services, education and employment. The illiteracy rate among the Rohingya, for example, is a staggering 80 percent. However, so far, no unif...
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This article argues that Rohingyas in Myanmar have been deliberately excluded by its government. The claims of the government and political leaders that Rohingyas are illegal migrants could no way be justified due to the clear fact that... more
This article argues that Rohingyas in Myanmar have been deliberately excluded by its government. The claims of the government and political leaders that Rohingyas are illegal migrants could no way be justified due to the clear fact that they have been a part of long history of Burma. Due to the exclusionary policies, this population group has been systematically marginalized, persecuted, deprived of basic rights, and abused. Available protection space for Rohingya refugees in the region has become extremely volatile due to the reluctance to sign the 1951 Convention and a lack of national legal frameworks in most southeast Asian countries. Despite political pressure from the international community and local activists groups calling for the government to stop the violence, there is no sign to end the violence.
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Women have traditionally been at disadvantage in many countries in the world, due partly to the strong patriarchal tradition which often impinges the rights of women. Hence women’s empowerment is a major concern in the developing world... more
Women have traditionally been at disadvantage in many countries in the world, due partly to the strong patriarchal tradition which often impinges the rights of women. Hence women’s empowerment is a major concern in the developing world and is emerging as an important indicator of the development of a society as well as the status of women. This article examines the impact of husbands’ migration on the lives of ‘left-behind’ women. The purpose of this research is to investigate how the ‘left-behind’ women turned around in the absence of their husbands and eventually how did they end up being empowered financially, socially and politically. This research analyzes left-behind women’s empowerment through three broad dimensions: resources, agency and achievements, specifically women’s autonomy and control over their lives; financial issues, and women’s political and labour force participation. This research selected 53 women from five countries in MENA (Middle East and North Africa) (Yem...
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There has been little research on the significance of religion in migration studies. The objective of this article is twofold: first, to explain religion as a complexly intertwined concept within migration discourses; second, to examine... more
There has been little research on the significance of religion in
migration studies. The objective of this article is twofold: first, to
explain religion as a complexly intertwined concept within
migration discourses; second, to examine the implications of
various terminologies such as Islamism, political Islam, and the
politicization of Islam in the modern world within a broad
migration framework. We have chosen 11 respondents from
different countries by snow-ball technique to interview. The
paper argues that religion becomes crucial to people’s migratory
experiences, aiming to construct a theoretically informed link
between religion and migration. The study emphasizes the
significance of international standards in ensuring migrants’
‘religious rights’ in host countries. The interesting thing is that
migrants bring their religious beliefs, practices, and way of life
with them, enriching destination countries by exposing them to
new cultures and fostering social cohesiveness via peaceful
coexistence.
migration studies. The objective of this article is twofold: first, to
explain religion as a complexly intertwined concept within
migration discourses; second, to examine the implications of
various terminologies such as Islamism, political Islam, and the
politicization of Islam in the modern world within a broad
migration framework. We have chosen 11 respondents from
different countries by snow-ball technique to interview. The
paper argues that religion becomes crucial to people’s migratory
experiences, aiming to construct a theoretically informed link
between religion and migration. The study emphasizes the
significance of international standards in ensuring migrants’
‘religious rights’ in host countries. The interesting thing is that
migrants bring their religious beliefs, practices, and way of life
with them, enriching destination countries by exposing them to
new cultures and fostering social cohesiveness via peaceful
coexistence.
Research Interests:
This study assesses the effect of a customised Maternal Neonatal and Child Survival (MNCS) intervention in the rural areas of Bangladesh. This study attempts to estimate the lifetime fertility rate and the proportion of live births ≥3,... more
This study assesses the effect of a customised Maternal Neonatal and Child Survival (MNCS) intervention in the rural areas of Bangladesh. This study attempts to estimate the lifetime fertility rate and the proportion of live births ≥3, and the age-specific lifetime fertility patterns among the women of reproductive age. This quasi-experimental study used impact evaluation data from the MNCS intervention in 2013 and compared these with the baseline data collected in 2008. We used a multi-stage, cluster random sampling technique to include 6,000 and 4,800 women in 2008 and 2013, respectively. The respondents were either mothers who had alive/deceased infants or the mothers whose pregnancy was terminated or who had living children of 12–59 months without pregnancy outcomes in the preceding year of the surveys. Based on the mean difference of live births from baseline to endline year for each intervention union, and then we compared these two areas (intervention and control unions). Ove...
Asia is gaining prominence as a destination for millions of migrants, totaling to about one-third of total international migrants. The privileged migrants (highly skilled and affluent) make up a large part of this group. They remain a... more
Asia is gaining prominence as a destination for millions of migrants, totaling to about one-third of total international migrants. The privileged migrants (highly skilled and affluent) make up a large part of this group. They remain a fertile ground for scholarly examination owing to the fact that extremely scarce research attention has been paid to this group. Within this context, this paper focuses on the sense of belonging of this migrant group in the host countries. We argue that professional hierarchy; socioeconomic and sociocultural factors contribute to the privileged migrants’ positionality as an insider or outsider in the host country. In this research, four Southeast Asian countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Thailand) are selected. Via multiplex communication (WhatsApp, email, and phone calls), a total of 27 interviews were conducted. Findings suggest that most of the privileged migrants position themselves as an outsider for multifaceted factors.
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Indian immigrants have emerged as a dominant community in Brunei nowadays. Since the colonial period, there has been an influx of Indian migrants to Brunei. This research investigates the social networks that Indians used to get to... more
Indian immigrants have emerged as a dominant community in Brunei nowadays. Since the colonial period, there has been an influx of Indian migrants to Brunei. This research investigates the social networks that Indians used to get to Brunei. Evidently, there has been little research on these group of people in Brunei. This study employs a sample of 17 low, semi, and unskilled Indian migrants chosen on snow-ball basis. Face-to-face interviews were conducted. According to the findings of this study, social networks played a significant role in making the decision to migrate over to Brunei. We found that chain migration mechanism has been active in the India-Brunei migration domain since long. As a risk diversification approach, migration networks act as a web of interpersonal connections that connect migrants, former migrants, and non-migrants in their origin and destination countries via relationships of kinship, friendship, and common community origin.
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The circumstances prevailing in South Asia (SA) have led to a plateauing migration stream that has resulted in several categories of migrants. The underlying factors driving migration have been identical in all the countries of SA. In... more
The circumstances prevailing in South Asia (SA) have led to a plateauing migration stream that has resulted in several categories of migrants. The underlying factors driving migration have been identical in all the countries of SA. In recent years, however, poverty, conflicts, political and religious persecution, natural disasters and climate change have emerged as the most prominent drivers. External migration flow from SA has more than doubled between 2000 and 2015. This is a dynamic region, with millions (over 38m in 2017) of people crossing borders, both intra-regionally and extra-regionally. In recent years, wealthy citizens from SA have begun to move out of their countries with the intention of settling down elsewhere. This tendency has raised concerns among the policy makers because they create the grounds for reverse remittance flows. This research is meant to identify and contribute to the discourse of a new category of migrants (non-conventional migration) who are differen...
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This chapter focuses on life in a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, where experiences of social exclusion and 'Othering' have increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It refers to a combination of extreme health challenges,... more
This chapter focuses on life in a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, where experiences of social exclusion and 'Othering' have increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It refers to a combination of extreme health challenges, crowding, and a dramatic loss of economic livelihoods that were caused by restrictions placed on interactions between those in the refugee camp and those outside. It also recounts health experts that warned that if the virus reached the world's largest refugee camp, it would spread like wildfire and Bangladesh might become devastated by COVID-19 due to the arrangements of camp settlements. The chapter points out that the population density in the Rohingya camp is more than 100,000 people per square mile and sanitation options are scarce. It mentions the groceries, kiosks, health centers, and schools that are all located within the camps, making congestion worse.
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About nine years ago in 2010, in his foreword for the book Rationalizing Migration Decisions: Labour Migrants in East and South-East Asia William Lacy Swing, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) mentioned... more
About nine years ago in 2010, in his foreword for the book Rationalizing Migration Decisions: Labour Migrants in East and South-East Asia William Lacy Swing, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) mentioned that there were about one billion migrants in the world. He attached particular emphasis on one of the arguments that in calculating benefits of migration, there is no way we can ignore the invisible cost migrants’ pay in pursuing migration. This volume in fact is an attempt to expand on this argument. Human progress throughout history has been possible due to population mobility. Economic evidences suggest that migration has been instrumental in excelling the growth in both developed and developing economies. However, contemporary debates have highlighted its long-term consequences. This has challenged the long-standing theories about the positivities of migration
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PurposeThere is abundant research on surrogacy; however, migration scholars have not addressed surrogacy-driven migration. Policies related to surrogacy and surrogacy-led migration are under-researched. The paper argues that surrogacy-led... more
PurposeThere is abundant research on surrogacy; however, migration scholars have not addressed surrogacy-driven migration. Policies related to surrogacy and surrogacy-led migration are under-researched. The paper argues that surrogacy-led migration or fertility/reproductive migration constitutes a significant part of mainstream migration. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the policy dilemmas in various countries.Design/methodology/approachA total of 9 surrogate mothers (4 from India; 2 from Thailand, 2 from Indonesia and 1 from Nepal) and 8 commissioning parents (2 from Japan; 4 from Europe; 1 from the USA; 1 from Australia) and 2 doctors (1 from India and 1 from Thailand) selected on snowball basis were interviewed between 2014 and 2016 by using a checklist.FindingsThe deficiency and inconsistency of laws regarding surrogacy facilitated the growth of the surrogacy market. Therefore, a uniform policy would help to define and improve the surrogacy and surrogacy-led migration...
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Abstract This paper explores how unaccompanied refugee children from Syria made their way to destination countries and how they become unaccompanied and the consequences of being unaccompanied. This paper is based on interviews with... more
Abstract This paper explores how unaccompanied refugee children from Syria made their way to destination countries and how they become unaccompanied and the consequences of being unaccompanied. This paper is based on interviews with Syrian child refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, and aid workers of international organizations who provide support with child refugees. The long-standing conflict has caused Syrian children to suffer immensely, both physically and psychologically. Data show that majority of the children became conflict orphan and left Syria. Some reported that they became separated or unaccompanied from their parents or relatives while crossing the border in the mass exodus. Some parents were arrested and killed in Syria by both the government and combatants. Some children were left alone by their relatives on the border in order to avoid violence in Syria, and some were smuggled into the destinations countries.
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Migration specific methodologies for research have not yet emerged in a unified manner; hence, a void in scholarship persists which has resulted in the growing dilemmas in conducting research on migrant populations. The growing attention... more
Migration specific methodologies for research have not yet emerged in a unified manner; hence, a void in scholarship persists which has resulted in the growing dilemmas in conducting research on migrant populations. The growing attention given to the research that involves migration has not yet been passably translated into corresponding research on the methodological challenges researchers generally handle. Quantitative methods have come under criticism for not providing an in-depth description of a phenomenon. Hence many researchers employ the mixed-method approach. This allows numerical data to be supplemented by qualitative findings and contextual explanations of both researchers and researched. We argue that no way is researching in a normal condition similar to the precarious conditions migrants go through. Due to the vulnerable positions of migrants who are the main population of migration research, it demands special attention in selecting and implementing appropriate methods.
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International migration is a highly contested topic and has become a critical part of the global security agenda due to the growing fear of terrorism notably after 9/11. There is a lack of relevant baselines and a gap in scholarly work... more
International migration is a highly contested topic and has become a critical part of the global security agenda due to the growing fear of terrorism notably after 9/11. There is a lack of relevant baselines and a gap in scholarly work that shows the direct connection between migration and security. This paper aims to identify the circumstances under which migration can be considered as a security issue. For this, we conducted an extensive literature review and interviews with policy-makers and staffs from migration regime as well as migrant professionals in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines between May 2018 and March 2019. The concepts of migration and security act as the theoretical standpoint of this paper. The findings show that the formation of an illusory correlation between migration and security has resulted in an extreme act of biasness towards migrant minority groups.
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Geopolitically intertwined and strategically significant refugee policy in the MENA region is frequently analyzed in light of well-documented ethnic, religious, class, and border conflicts. However, the policy is also inexorably linked to... more
Geopolitically intertwined and strategically significant refugee policy in the MENA region is frequently analyzed in light of well-documented ethnic, religious, class, and border conflicts. However, the policy is also inexorably linked to the broader geopolitics of the global refugee protection regime and discourse. This article analyzes the complex relationship between geopolitics, domestic political dynamics, and their attendant crises in the MENA region. The complex set of political shockwaves of the Arab Spring induced massive mobility of people which may compound incipient political tensions between and within MENA states.
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Purpose Migration of skilled workers to other countries remains a highly contentious issue. Skill drain does not take place based on skill surplus and deficient equation. Skilled migrants can make their choice to migrate on their own with... more
Purpose Migration of skilled workers to other countries remains a highly contentious issue. Skill drain does not take place based on skill surplus and deficient equation. Skilled migrants can make their choice to migrate on their own with minimal control of the Government. This paper aims to argue that sending countries lose skill which cannot be offset or justified by the remittances inflow. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on a research conducted on skill migration from the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. In this study, skilled migrants are engineers, medical doctors, nurses and academics. The author interviewed 12 engineers (four from the Philippines; two from Malaysia; four from Singapore and two from Thailand); nine medical doctors (four from the Philippines; three from Singapore, one from Malaysia and one from Thailand); eight nurses (six from the Philippines and two from Thailand); and 14 academics (six from the Philippines; five from Singapore and three f...
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The huge amount of remittance transfers has brought migration studies to the fore in the public and private discourse on global development. Since the time migration studies occupied a space in the academe, most research has been devoted... more
The huge amount of remittance transfers has brought migration studies to the fore in the public and private discourse on global development. Since the time migration studies occupied a space in the academe, most research has been devoted to remittances in cash and their use. Prior to the mid-nineties, the debate about the concept of migrants’ ‘remittance’ has not entailed other forms of remittances other than remittances in cash. This research explores another form of remittance, that is, biological remittance. This research firstly explores how migrant populations handle ‘biological remittance’ in their societies, and secondly compares the experiences of female migrant workers in two countries with distinct cultural and religious mores. We collected empirical information from two countries: Indonesia and the Philippines. A total of 38 respondents (17 from the Philippines and 21 from Indonesia) were selected for this study by using the snowball technique. While all the respondents, ...
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Remittance inflows have been recorded as the second major external source of finance after ODA and an important source of funds for growth in South Asian countries. This paper examines the interaction between remittances and development... more
Remittance inflows have been recorded as the second major external source of finance after ODA and an important source of funds for growth in South Asian countries. This paper examines the interaction between remittances and development in South Asia. Most receiving countries have experienced a major increase in remittance inflows and increase in growth of their GDP. The migration-development nexus is drawn, however, generally on the contribution of migrants’ remittances to the GDP of receiving countries. While this contribution could no way be undermined, the calculation of this contribution is largely done by excluding some significant factors such as loan-with high interest; opportunity cost; remittances fee; risks and life lost. There are arguments that the entire amount of remittances channelled into South Asian countries does not go to development. Though there is huge potential to contribute to the development, South Asia did not fully benefit from migrant remittances. This i...
Research Interests: Geography and Remittances
This research seeks to explore and understand the extent of human rights is violated by an elite force in Bangladesh. The constitutional right to life should not be derogated or suspended, and no person should be stripped of his or her... more
This research seeks to explore and understand the extent of human rights is violated by an elite force in Bangladesh. The constitutional right to life should not be derogated or suspended, and no person should be stripped of his or her basic human rights. (Number) of victims and human rights activists were recruited via snowball sampling and in-depth interviews were conducted. Secondary data was obtained via daily newspapers, magazines and bulletins published by various human rights organizations in Bangladesh. This is due to the elite force ignoring the existing constitutional guarantee of the right to life. The participants views were that the government has to ensure human rights are maintained. It should limit the jurisdiction of the elite force and conform to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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Over one-third of Brunei’s total workforce are foreign expatriates. A huge percentage of them has been staying in Brunei for more than two decades in various capacities. This paper sets out the conceptual imperatives of culture, ethnicity... more
Over one-third of Brunei’s total workforce are foreign expatriates. A huge percentage of them has been staying in Brunei for more than two decades in various capacities. This paper sets out the conceptual imperatives of culture, ethnicity and integration in order to demonstrate how people from different origins, religions and ethnicities settled in Brunei and ended up melting in Brunei society. Setting its arguments in context, this paper engenders the discourse of integrational, religious and cultural ambivalence. A qualitative study was conducted on some diasporas selected based on snow-ball technique. The study reveals that while Diaspora maintain a reciprocal relationship between both ends (origin and destinations), most of them find their hearts in Brunei. In a society religiously and culturally distant from theirs, most diasporas are happy to compromise in order to integrate in Brunei society. Of course, as a natural rule, as time passes, the ties and bond get weaker among gen...
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Over the past decade, the concepts of border have gained resonance in several disciplines within social sciences. While critical theory of borders has made tremendous advancements, scarcity of the scholarship in border studies is still... more
Over the past decade, the concepts of border have gained resonance in several disciplines within social sciences. While critical theory of borders has made tremendous advancements, scarcity of the scholarship in border studies is still evident. Borders are, in general, cultural, social, territorial, geographical, political, sexual and racial separators. This article deals with geographical borders in the Southeast Asian (SEA) region. Most countries in SEA share borders with each other. Under a range of circumstances and relationships such as trade, security and migration flows take place. Southeast Asia’s heterogeneity—politically, ethnically, religiously, economically, demographically and spatially—has crucial implications for neighbourly relationships, trade, border constructions, migration and refugee flows for all the countries. This article delves into the interplay between borders and heterogeneity in SEA and their outcomes. We argue that borders type determine the level of re...
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The book examines the impact of COVID-19 on economic and political processes, contending that the global reaction to the pandemic has been the largest failure in scientific policy in a generation. Unlike earlier crises, it has impacted... more
The book examines the impact of COVID-19 on economic and political processes, contending that the global reaction to the pandemic has been the largest failure in scientific policy in a generation. Unlike earlier crises, it has impacted the world's leading economies while also paralyzing international ties, provoking diverse and far-reaching reactions. The authors posit that no effective global response has been launched in response to this global catastrophe. Rather, governments have implemented a variety of policies based on the costs of virus protection against financial closure and isolation. In doing so, there has been a resurgence in nationalism. This book aims to provide comprehensive understanding of how the pandemic has widened political gaps, and demarcates what the long-term consequences might be in terms of policies and economics in the wake of the pandemic. Of interest to scholars in political geography, development studies, international relations, public administration, and health science, this book presents key observations on existing theories of global politics pivoted around the COVID-19 pandemic, and its ramifications on individuals, groups, and ultimately, the nation state.
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The Rohingyas are the single largest stateless community in the world after Palestinians (Ullah & Chattoraj, 2018). About 1.2 million Rohingyas have taken refuge at 36 locations in Cox’s Bazar, a district of southeast Bangladesh (Joint... more
The Rohingyas are the single largest stateless community in the world after Palestinians (Ullah & Chattoraj, 2018). About 1.2 million Rohingyas have taken refuge at 36 locations in Cox’s Bazar, a district of southeast Bangladesh (Joint Response Plan for Rohingya (JRP), 2019; UNICEF, 2019) in the face of mass human rights violation in Myanmar, the country which these refugees were born in. At the moment, around 1.2 million Rohingyas are living in Bangladesh.
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Indian immigrants have emerged as a dominant community in Brunei nowadays. Since the colonial period, there has been an influx of Indian migrants to Brunei. This research investigates the social networks that Indians used to get to... more
Indian immigrants have emerged as a dominant community in Brunei nowadays. Since the colonial period, there has been an influx of Indian migrants to Brunei. This research investigates the social networks that Indians used to get to Brunei. Evidently, there has been little research on these group of people in Brunei. This study employs a sample of 17 low, semi, and unskilled Indian migrants chosen on snowball basis. Face-to-face interviews were conducted. According to the findings of this study, social networks played a significant role in making the decision to migrate over to Brunei. We found that chain migration mechanism has been active in the India-Brunei migration domain since long. As a risk diversification approach, migration networks act as a web of interpersonal connections that connect migrants, former migrants, and nonmigrants in their origin and destination countries via relationships of kinship, friendship, and common community origin.
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COVID-19 has been labeled a ‘pandemic’, which turned out to be one of the most terrifying diseases causing an impending crisis the world has not witnessed in the recent era (Chattoraj, 2021). Before the development of successful vaccines,... more
COVID-19 has been labeled a ‘pandemic’, which turned out to be one of the most terrifying diseases causing an impending crisis the world has not witnessed in the recent era (Chattoraj, 2021). Before the development of successful vaccines, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations such as quarantining, wearing masks, self-isolating, maintaining social distance, and lockdown were the only measures available to combat COVID-19 (Ullah et al, 2021). However, these are not always feasible for all communities (see Lemanski and de Groot, Chapter Ten); for the refugees living in small and overcrowded tiny shacks that are found in refugee camps, a major challenge lies in maintaining social distance and lock- down measures
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COVID-19 has been labeled labelled a ‘pandemic’, which turned out to be one of the most terrifying diseases causing an impending crisis the world has not witnessed in the recent era (Chattoraj, 2021). Before the development of successful... more
COVID-19 has been labeled labelled a ‘pandemic’, which turned out to be one of the most terrifying diseases causing an impending crisis the world has not witnessed in the recent era (Chattoraj, 2021). Before the development of successful vaccines, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations such as quarantining, wearing masks, self-isolating, maintaining social distance, and lockdown were the only measures available to combat Covid-19COVID-19 (Ullah et al., 2021). However, these are not always feasible for all communities; for the refugees living in small and overcrowded tiny shacks that are found in refugee camps, a major challenge lies in maintaining social distance and lockdown measures. Rohingya refugees from the Northern Rakhine State of Myanmar, who were forced out in the face of brutal persecution, rapes, and killings.
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his book investigates the alarming of fatalities among migrant workers. The authors argue that migrant workers are often powerless and unprotected by national laws, unearthing new truths on migrant workers as significant economic players.
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In 70 countries worldwide, there is an estimated 370 million indigenous peoples, and their rich diversity of cultures, religions, traditions, languages and histories has been significant source of our scholarships. However, the health... more
In 70 countries worldwide, there is an estimated 370 million indigenous peoples, and their rich diversity of cultures, religions, traditions, languages and histories has been significant source of our scholarships. However, the health status of this population group is far below than that of non-indigenous populations by all standards. Could the persisting reluctance to understand the influence of self-governance, globalization and social determinants of health in the lives of these people be deemed as a contributor to the poor health of indigenous peoples?
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About nine years ago in 2010, in his foreword for the book Rationalizing Migration Decisions: Labour Migrants in East and South-East Asia William Lacy Swing, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) mentioned... more
About nine years ago in 2010, in his foreword for the book Rationalizing Migration
Decisions: Labour Migrants in East and South-East Asia William Lacy Swing,
Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) mentioned
that there were about one billion migrants in the world. He attached particular
emphasis on one of the arguments that in calculating benefits of migration, there is
no way we can ignore the invisible cost migrants’ pay in pursuing migration. This
volume in fact is an attempt to expand on this argument.
Human progress throughout history has been possible due to population
mobility. Economic evidences suggest that migration has been instrumental in
excelling the growth in both developed and developing economies. However,
contemporary debates have highlighted its long-term consequences. This has
challenged the long-standing theories about the positivities of migration
Decisions: Labour Migrants in East and South-East Asia William Lacy Swing,
Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) mentioned
that there were about one billion migrants in the world. He attached particular
emphasis on one of the arguments that in calculating benefits of migration, there is
no way we can ignore the invisible cost migrants’ pay in pursuing migration. This
volume in fact is an attempt to expand on this argument.
Human progress throughout history has been possible due to population
mobility. Economic evidences suggest that migration has been instrumental in
excelling the growth in both developed and developing economies. However,
contemporary debates have highlighted its long-term consequences. This has
challenged the long-standing theories about the positivities of migration