Socio-economic Determinants of Labour Mobility in Pakistan

Abstract

Why do factors of production, especially the labour, migrate from one region or sector to another? This question, which remains fundamental to economic and human resource development, has been a major topic among researchers. While considerable progress has been made in developing a theoretical model of migration, the empirical verification of this model using individual level data has remained unresolved. With the availability of Population, Labour Force, and Migration (PLM) Survey data, this paper attempts to develop a model of internal migration in Pakistan, to serve as a guiding paradigm to write down a model for meaningful estimation. Keeping in line with the literature, three types of variables have been identified as the possible determinants of migration. These variables relate to the possession of human capital, commitment to job and place of residence, and cost-related factors. After controlling for other variables, it was observed that, in general, migrants were selective especially in terms of age, education, and choice of occupation. These findings are consistent with the evidence from other developing countries.

Does Rural–Urban Migration Improve Employment Quality and Household Welfare? Evidence from Pakistan

“…In Pakistan, most of the analysis on migration used the primary data from population censuses, labor force surveys, and special surveys such as migration and labor force surveys. Several studies have analyzed the patterns and trends of internal and external migration, covering a wide range of issues, including interprovincial and intraprovincial migration [35], determinants of internal migration [36][37][38][39], the gender dimensions of internal migration [40], and the impact of migration on development [41]. However, with the exception of Rashid [35] and Irfan [42], no studies have been conducted to determine the impact of migration on rural households' well-being.…”

Prevalence of the C677T Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism in the Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene Among Pakistani Ethnic Groups

“…Data regarding C677T occurrence in Pakistan are almost nonexistent except a few reports describing association of this mutation with primary closedangle glaucoma (Michael et al, 2008) and coronary artery disease (Iqbal et al, 2005). Due to high geographic and social diversity existing in Pakistan (Ahmed and Sirageldin, 1993), we hypothesized a varied prevalence of C677T mutation. Our laboratory has remained involved in determining the genetic relationship of various ethnic groups as well as genetic predisposition to various ailments.…”

The Effects of Relocation on Wages

“…Irfan (1986) developed a linkage between internal migration and capital flows and remittances generated through relocation of labour. Ahmed and Sirageldin (1993) established that a relationship between variables like house/land ownership or strong family ties are not only the significant constraints in relocation of human resource but also increase the cost of relocation. Similarly it is also evident from many other studies that family structure plays a very important role in migration decision (See for example Harbison 1981).…”