Name: Bellatrix 2011-08-16 13:38
I recently read through some coursework that there is a dire shortage of skilled workers in the Global South (developing world). In this particular case, it's the issue of transportation provision.
I wondered to myself, 'why would there be a shortage of skilled workers?'
There could be various reasons, and I'm sure there are various reasons. Perhaps they cannot afford to get trained, or perhaps they lack the necessary facilities. Or perhaps...a large number of skilled workers went to various first-world countries, as immigrants or otherwise. (Despite the threat of not even being able to practice that skill upon arrival).
This seems counterproductive: in developing nations struggling to build infrastructure, what could possibly be the benefit of shipping out your best and brightest professionals? I realize some of those professionals may send money 'home' once they are established abroad, but somebody still has to tend the sick and injured back 'home' and somebody still has to pave the roads, build the schools, teach the pupils, etc. Money sent home is great, but it cannot immediately fill vacant jobs if there are no skilled candidates to fill them. First-world countries that seek out skilled immigrants are predatory in this regard, for they keep the developing world in a never-ending cycle of poverty. More shocking still, is that many migrants seem to care little for the welfare of their fellow countrymen they are leaving behind. Indeed, it appears to be a selfish decision based on personal desires to get rich and prosperous.
Why are migrants fleeing their home countries? Because they are underdeveloped. Why are they underdeveloped? Because migrants are fleeing their home countries.
It would be hilarious if it wasn't so exasperating, but a certain employment cycle in the developed (immigrant-seeking) world goes like this:
1. Shortage of labour: increase or manipulate immigrant quotas.
2. Westerners forced out of labour-intensive jobs. (The jobs we supposedly won't do anyway. Because hey, we're all white-collar business executives, right?)
3. Whites must all become white-collar business executives: long years of school and training. (I'm exaggerating a little, of course).
4. Low-skill jobs outsourced to semi-developed nations. We become a tertiary society (heavily dependent upon education and training).
5. Education goes up; fertility rate goes down. More immigration needed!
et cetera.
I'd like to know how undeveloped states can develop if they are too poor to afford to do so, and their most capable citizens fly the coop the first chance they get (if they get that chance). This perpetuates inequality in the most vicious of ways, and ironically it is all packaged from the developed world as 'helping people find a better life'.
The short-term solution is not the best one.
It's time immigrants gave some consideration to helping their own people 'find a better life', rather than just themselves. Long-term development will require skilled professionals (of any kind, I suppose) actually living and remaining in developing nations to promote the advancement of those states. As long as this brain-drain continues, poverty will persist.
I wondered to myself, 'why would there be a shortage of skilled workers?'
There could be various reasons, and I'm sure there are various reasons. Perhaps they cannot afford to get trained, or perhaps they lack the necessary facilities. Or perhaps...a large number of skilled workers went to various first-world countries, as immigrants or otherwise. (Despite the threat of not even being able to practice that skill upon arrival).
This seems counterproductive: in developing nations struggling to build infrastructure, what could possibly be the benefit of shipping out your best and brightest professionals? I realize some of those professionals may send money 'home' once they are established abroad, but somebody still has to tend the sick and injured back 'home' and somebody still has to pave the roads, build the schools, teach the pupils, etc. Money sent home is great, but it cannot immediately fill vacant jobs if there are no skilled candidates to fill them. First-world countries that seek out skilled immigrants are predatory in this regard, for they keep the developing world in a never-ending cycle of poverty. More shocking still, is that many migrants seem to care little for the welfare of their fellow countrymen they are leaving behind. Indeed, it appears to be a selfish decision based on personal desires to get rich and prosperous.
Why are migrants fleeing their home countries? Because they are underdeveloped. Why are they underdeveloped? Because migrants are fleeing their home countries.
It would be hilarious if it wasn't so exasperating, but a certain employment cycle in the developed (immigrant-seeking) world goes like this:
1. Shortage of labour: increase or manipulate immigrant quotas.
2. Westerners forced out of labour-intensive jobs. (The jobs we supposedly won't do anyway. Because hey, we're all white-collar business executives, right?)
3. Whites must all become white-collar business executives: long years of school and training. (I'm exaggerating a little, of course).
4. Low-skill jobs outsourced to semi-developed nations. We become a tertiary society (heavily dependent upon education and training).
5. Education goes up; fertility rate goes down. More immigration needed!
et cetera.
I'd like to know how undeveloped states can develop if they are too poor to afford to do so, and their most capable citizens fly the coop the first chance they get (if they get that chance). This perpetuates inequality in the most vicious of ways, and ironically it is all packaged from the developed world as 'helping people find a better life'.
The short-term solution is not the best one.
It's time immigrants gave some consideration to helping their own people 'find a better life', rather than just themselves. Long-term development will require skilled professionals (of any kind, I suppose) actually living and remaining in developing nations to promote the advancement of those states. As long as this brain-drain continues, poverty will persist.