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"Migration benefiting all" is a mantra echoed throughout the halls of my agency, the International Organization for Migration, and the entire United Nations. While some critics might raise outlier examples where this could genuinely be argued, the overall evidence clearly supports this being a valid statement, not only in terms of a human rights perspective, but also demographic, social, and economic.
Former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon once said of migrants, "their cultures, values, and traditions not only enrich our societies, but enable us to adapt successfully to a world that is changing fast."
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| Steven Hamilton |
There are an estimated 272 million international migrants around the world, which equals 3.5 percent of the world's population. Current statistics place the number of migrants in South Korea at roughly 2 million people, down from an estimated 2.5 million before COVID-19. These are men, women, and children, not just numbers. While there has been a continuous decline in the number of migrants in Korea since COVID-19 started, these 2 million have remained committed to Korea.
Migrants enrich society while supporting the economic development so many Koreans are proud of. They contribute to the success of the Korean economy, providing critical support to Korean SMEs, which further engage with all sectors of the Korean economy. They often fill more laborious or dangerous jobs that are essential to agriculture, manufacturing and construction which are shunned by Korean citizens. Migrants keep the wheels of growth churning, filling the labor gaps that might otherwise stifle growth. The fact is Korea needs migrants. It is a mutually beneficial relationship.
Within these 2 million are also family members of Korean citizens, students and entrepreneurs bringing new ideas and new skills, with an interest and passion for Korean culture, investing themselves in Korea.
South Korea has become the new gold standard of success as both an economic exporter of manufactured goods and technology but also as a cultural exporter throughout the world. This success is based on global trust and acceptance of Korean quality and standards and admiration of Korean talent. The growth of the Korean economy was built on this global trust. As the world has opened itself up to what Korea has to offer so must Koreans recognize the attractiveness of Korean culture and success will draw admirers to Korea.
These global phenomena could not come at a better time for Korea. Like many global economies, South Korea is facing a demographic challenge with a low birthrate and aging population causing a rise in the?ratio of old to young workers. It is indisputable the impact that aging populations, low birthrates, longer life expectancy have in the economies and social protection systems of developed and high-middle income countries. This puts pressure on social care, tax revenues and government spending. Immigration is one of the most effective policies to deal with an aging population, as it allows shortages to be filled with young workers who make a net contribution to government finances and boost the workforce.
The links between migration and development of countries are also much better understood and recognized today. Countries are adopting policies that enhance the positive impact of migration into their development and economic growth planning. To ensure a sustainable, globally competitive economy, South Korea should leverage its attractiveness to migrants and harness the opportunities available to integrate migrants into society for the betterment of society. An expectation that migrants eventually leave, as in the Employment Permit System, should be replaced with an eagerness to find creative ways to make migrants want to stay.
Migration works best when governments accept it is a beneficial inevitably and manage the process responsibly. It is without doubt that far too many migrants suffer from exploitation and discrimination but for the overwhelming majority, migration has bettered their lives and usually the lives of family members from the homes they once lived. It is also without doubt that migrants are people, with the same susceptibility to faults and mistakes as any other person, Korean or foreigner. Exploitative environments, such as human rights violations by employers and discriminatory processes, such as targeted COVID-19 testing of migrant workers, are the exception, not the norm. They are highlighted because of the need to make change in a system that primarily works well but should not define the migration experience.
The media has also played a central role in defining how migrants are perceived. It is time to change the narrative toward something weighted in evidence that is objective, fair, and serves as a platform for discussion on migration. A misrepresentation quoted without verifying its veracity or circulated by the media shapes inaccurate perceptions in the public. A commitment by media such as The Korea Times to provide a fair platform where issues discussed, weighing the evidence available, is long overdue on more issues than just migration.
Migration is primarily a story of success. Migrants contribute to societies just as those societies enable them to survive and thrive. They succeed and fail along the way, as the human condition dictates. They need to be supported as a neighbor, not shunned as an invader. They are men, women, and children, not statistics. They are like you and me.
Steven Hamilton is the chief of mission for the Seoul office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and has been engaged in migration-related programs around the world for more than 25 years.
