According to a recent World Bank study of remittances, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are all among the top 20 receivers of remittances, with estimated receipts of US$3.2 billion, US$8.4 billion and U.S$ 1.5 billion respectively. 'Migrant Labor Remittances in South Asia' identifies and discusses the key issues affecting the remittance industry in South Asia. It examines the development and implementation of policies, processes, and infrastructure to foster a development-oriented transfer of financial resources between migrants in developed economies and their families in the region. Rather than duplicate previous remittances work, this title only focuses on the region?s distinguishing characteristics, namely: --A large migrant population of semi-skilled and unskilled workers largely concentrated in the Arabian Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. --The presence of dedicated public institutions and government financial incentives aimed at facilitating and providing incentives for temporary migration and remittance inflows --The existence of large state bank branch networks with immense potential for a more effective and efficient remittance financial market. --The widespread usage of trade related informal remittance channels by both legal and illegal migrants. The book is intended for policymakers who legislate and regulate the financial sector, as well as for researchers and providers of remittance services.

International migration is a dynamic global phenomenon that has been drawing increasing attention from both scholars and policymakers over the last few decades. It is particularly relevant to South Asia, since the region is a vast source of “sojourner” migrant labour, as well as home to permanent immigrant and diaspora communities. The chapters brought together in this volume provide insights into the study of international migration, diaspora engagement and remittances in South Asia. In particular, they analyse the implications of this phenomenon in relation to development and shed light on migration- and diaspora-led development in two sections: firstly, “Remittance-Induced Development” and secondly “Diaspora-Induced Development.” The geographic focus of the volume is the global South Asian emigrant population who live outside the region. This volume demonstrates that international migration, remittances and development offer an exciting field of academic study, as well as a vibrant area of policy study. Its multi-disciplinary dimensions enlarge its scope and applicability across several domains. As such, this volume offers an important contribution to the growing field of international migration in both the academic and policy spheres.

This volume provides theoretical treatments of remittance on how its development potential is translated into reality. The authors meticulously delve into diverse mechanisms through which migrant communities remit, investigating how recipients engage in the development process in South Asia.

South Asia has experienced a sharp increase in remittances since the mid-1990s. According to recent World Bank research, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are all among the world's top 20 receivers of remittances, with estimated receipts of US$3.2 billion, US$17.4 million,US$4.0 billion, and US$1.3 billion, respectively. Building on this research, Migrant Labor Remittances in South Asia focuses on the regional characteristics that distinguish South Asia from other remittance-active parts of the world:* A large migrant population of semi-skilled and unskilled workers largely concentrated in Persian Gulf countries* The presence of dedicated public institutions and government financial incentives aimed at facilitating remittance flows and providing incentives for temporary migration* The existence of large state bank branch networks with immense potential to create more effective and efficient remittance financial markets* The widespread use of trade-related informal remittance channels by both legal and illegal migrants.The book discusses key issues regarding the development and implementation of remittance industry policies, processes, and infrastructure in South Asia to foster development-oriented transfer of financial resources between migrants in developed economies and their families in the region. It will be of special use to financial sector policymakers and legislators, particularly those responsible for ensuring compliance with international money-transfer codes and standards, as well as to researchers and providers of remittance services.

South Asians comprise over 15 per cent of all international migrating population, among the highest in the world. The countries of the Persian Gulf are perhaps still the largest recipients of migrant workers. A unique economy has developed between these two regions, with all South Asian nations being major beneficiaries and featuring among the top twenty countries receiving maximum remittances globally. The South Asia Migration Report 2017 is the first of its kind, documenting migration profiles, diaspora, recruitment and remittances, both in individual countries as well as the South Asian region as a whole. It also discusses skilled, unskilled and internal migrations. The volume: includes on-the-ground studies from six nations: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan; discusses public policy, effects of global recession on the region and its impact on migration; and examines the process of reintegration of returning migrants. This book will be indispensable for scholars and researchers of economics, development studies, migration and diaspora studies, labour studies and sociology. It will also be useful to policymakers and government institutions working in the area.

South Asians constitute the largest expatriate population in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Their contribution in the socio-economic, technological and educational development of GCC nations is immense. This book offers one of the first systematic analysis of South Asia–Gulf migration dynamics and its varied impact on countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It deals with public policy, socio-economic mobility, remittance policy, global financial crisis and labour issues. Bringing together essays from contributors from around the world, the volume reveals not only the multi-dimensionality of the migration process between the two regions, but also the diversity and the underlying unity of the South Asian countries. This book will be invaluable to scholars and students of migration studies, development studies and sociology as well as policy-makers, administrators, academics, and non-governmental organisations in the field.

This volume explores the reasons behind, and impact of, the migration of South Asian nationals (from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan and Maldives, Afghanistan and Myanmar) in the Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Bahrain). The authors provide a broad overview of the demographics of the phenomenon, its mechanisms, and focus on the contribution of migrants in various sectors including construction, health and education, and the overall labour market in the Gulf. The book also taps into the regional geo-politics and its links to the South Asian Migration in the Gulf. This book is recommended reading to all those interested in international migration and labour issues.