GULF MIGRATION, REMITTANCES AND PROGRESS: THE EXPERIENCE FROM NORTH INDIA

Abstract: Gulf migration refers to the large-scale movement of workers, primarily from South Asian countries to the oil-rich states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Following the discovery of oil in the 1970s, it was fuelled by the rapid economic growth of the region. It created a massive demand for labour in sectors such as construction, services and domestic work. According to S. Irudaya Rajan, Gulf migration from countries like India has been primarily driven by economic factors, with workers seeking better wages and living conditions than those available in their home countries (Rajan, 2014, p.12). He highlights that Gulf migration, especially from rural areas of India is often motivated by the need to escape poverty, unemployment and underemployment in agriculture-dependent economies. Devesh Kapur also argues that this migration is shaped by the structural mismatch between the labour-surplus economies of South Asia and the labour-deficient but capital-rich economies of the Gulf (Kapur, 2016, p.103). This mismatch creates a “push-pull” dynamic where Gulf countries pull in workers due to labour shortages, while South Asian countries push workers abroad due to limited local employment opportunities. This research paper seeks to explore the underlying processes, key determinants, and far-reaching consequences of Gulf migration from this region. Framed within the broader agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the study aims to investigate how this migration pattern affects both the migrants and their communities back home. The methodology of the research paper is based on empirical field surveys in rural North India where primary data is collected under a mixed method approach of study design. Findings of the primary data show an interconnection between internal and international migration where internal migration leads to international migration under the push and pull factor of migration. From these perspectives, the impact of Gulf migration improved the socio-economic status of migrant households and led to a demonstration of its impact. Apart, the entire function of Gulf migration enhanced the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Consequently, it would motivate researchers, politicians, and academics to pursue deeper investigation in the field of migration studies. Keyword: migration, remittances, gulf cooperation council, sustainable development goals