Making migration safer

In a globalising market, labour migration in low-skilled sectors plays a particularly important role. A growing number of poor people move between their villages of origin, the capital and international destinations, while financially sustaining their families and regions. The positive role of remit- tances for alleviating the poverty of sending countries is widely acknowledged. However, migration also leads to a growing imbalance between rural and urban areas and unfavourable societal changes. Drawing on case studies in Central and South Asia, this issue of evidence for policy examines the challenges of making migration safer for low-skilled workers and more beneficial for their families left behind.