Remittances from migrants are mainly used for food, medical visits and education. “It is inconceivable that without migration and remittances, thousands of villages would no longer exist,” says German sociologist and Africa expert Olaf Bernau.
He referred, among other things, to the current asylum debate, in which Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) described payments to the home country as ‘abuse’. “How can migration be well designed for mutual benefit?” should be asked instead. The majority of payments to the migrants’ home countries go to basic needs, to “seeds, some more fertilizer, an ox, a small piece of farming equipment, something that will keep others in the suburbs,” said German sociologist Olaf. Bernau to the APA news agency.
A third of the income goes home
On average, migrants from West African countries earn 1,040 euros when they work. A third of this goes home, according to the UN study ‘Scaling Fences’. “300 euros is really a lot for a West African country,” says Bernau. “In (…) countries like Mali or Nigeria there are no pension, health or social insurance, no unemployment benefits. You rely on mutual support.”
Forced to apply for asylum
Because there is no possibility to come to Europe as a migrant worker, those affected are forced to apply for asylum. Instead, Bernau proposes supporting the local school system in West Africa and giving young people an early perspective on immigration options. This could be linked to language and preparation courses and additional pre-training. “Then there are still people who don’t make the selection and go on the road, but much fewer. “No one wants to risk their life,” Bernau is convinced.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 97.5 percent of West Africans remain in their country of birth. Of the remaining 2.5 percent, two-thirds goes to neighboring countries, one-third to North and Central Africa, the US and Europe.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
