Brücke und/oder Sprungbrett: Sopron/Ödenburg, die Rolle der ungarischen Grenzstadt im Rahmen der Binnenmigration nach 1989

Abstract

It is the main aim of this study to analyse the role of a Hungarian medium-sized town located by the Austrian border, Sopron/Ödenburg, in internal migration. The change of the political system after 1989 has had its impact not only on the social and economic development of the town, but also on perception of the town's geographical location. Located in the western periphery of the country, near to the Iron Curtain during the decades of Socialism, Sopron/Ödenburg found itself in a much more favourable position after 1989. This resulted in becoming one of the most attractive destinations of Hungarian internal migration. Later, other factors (Hungary's EU accession in 2004, the global economic crisis in 2008, abandoning of all labour-market restrictions 2011) have also contributed to this. Quantitative analysis of migrants based on statistical data is supplemented by the results of a survey conducted among newer and older residents of Sopron/Ödenburg that reveal information about their social background as well as temporal and spatial patterns of in-migration. The number of in-migrants grew especially after the global economic crisis, and the primary reason for in-migration was to get work in Sopron/Ödenburg or Austria. Survey results show, however, also relevant differences between earlier and later in-migrants to Sopron/Ödenburg. It seems that the town functions rather as a 'bridge', although its function of a 'springboard' is also important.

Migratory birds: Dehumanization of migrant workers in West Hungary

“…He generally attempted to make a positive impression on the interviewer by explaining how he has sought to help workers but that they often leave regardless because they lack the competence to remain at a workplace. The migratory bird metaphor represents worker fluctuation and the practice of using Hungarian firms as springboards to obtain higher‐paying jobs in Austria (Kiss et al, 2020). Seasonal job opportunities in Austrian agriculture, particularly in viticulture, lead to seasonal fluctuation in Hungarian factories, further strengthening the “migratory species” analogy: People return to manufacturing firms in winter and ask to return, as employees and intermediaries both reported ( Intermediary 1 and 3, Employer 2 ).…”

“…However, geography and related social sciences literature have only sparsely conceptualized the interrelation of dehumanization and labour migration throughout the labour process (Mezzadri, 2019). Following Winders and Smith (2019), we integrate the analysis of capitalist A 2017 questionnaire survey found that 15% of newcomers to Sopron who arrived after 2009 found employment in low-skilled jobs (Kiss et al, 2020). This share might be even higher because the survey underrepresented people living in worker hostels and other low-cost accommodations.…”

“…A 2017 questionnaire survey found that 15% of newcomers to Sopron who arrived after 2009 found employment in low‐skilled jobs (Kiss et al, 2020). This share might be even higher because the survey underrepresented people living in worker hostels and other low‐cost accommodations.…”

“…However, anti‐immigration narratives take specific forms in local communities, especially communities experiencing labour migration (Stojanov et al, 2021). Sopron, a medium‐sized city near the Austrian border in West Hungary, has become a hub for domestic and border‐crossing migrant workers in the past decade (Kiss et al, 2020). The massive influx of domestic and foreign migrant workers has created social tensions locally (Kuslits, 2019).…”

“…Labour market intermediaries have emerged; vacant houses and motels have been converted into temporary housing for migrants. Ethnicity and gender‐based boundary‐making have intensified in the local community, where newcomers are labelled Roma and often depicted as dangerous non‐humans (Kiss et al, 2020).…”