Rob: Hello, I'm Rob and this is 6 Minute English and I'm joined this week by Jennifer. Hello
Jennifer.
Jennifer: Hello Rob.
Rob: This week we're discussing global migration – that's the movement of people
around the world and particularly those who are moving abroad to look for new work.
Is this something you have done Jen?
Jennifer: Yes, when I was a student I moved to France to teach English for a while.
Rob: A very good job but luckily for us, you came back to live in the UK. Many people are
forced to emigrate – or leave their home country – to go and work abroad and they
never return home. We'll talk more about that shortly and also look at some of the
language associated with migration. But let's start with today's question.
Jennifer: And this is a question for me to answer?
Rob: Of course it is! So, according to figures from the United Nations, which one of these
countries has the largest number of immigrants as a percentage of its national
population? Is it:
a) United States of America
b) Qatar
c) Turkey
Jennifer: I think this is an easy one. I think it will be a) The United States of America.
Rob: Well, I'll let you know the answer at the end of the programme. Now let's talk more
about global migration. It's something the BBC has been looking at following
research by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
We know people move from country to country for all kinds of reasons – to join other
members of their family, because of war in their own country, or just to find a better
lifestyle.
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Jennifer: But the biggest reason is to find work – people who do this are called economic
migrants. Their profession – or area of work they specialise in – may not be needed
where they live. Or the pay may not be very good but their skills might be in demand
in another part of the world, so they are forced to move there to get a job and earn
more money.
Rob: This is a problem for developing countries because it means skilled people are
leaving to work in richer countries – this is what is called a brain drain. Around 214
million people are international migrants – people living and working in a different
country from the one in which they were born. So what kind of work are we talking
about?
Jennifer: All kinds of things. We know that people in healthcare often move abroad to places
like the UK and Australia to work as dentists, doctors or nurses. In other countries,
such as Belgium, there is a need for chefs. And in countries like Norway, there is a
demand for psychologists.
Rob: I've also heard that in countries that have been affected by the financial crisis, such
as Ireland and Greece, there is a need for accountants. And countries such as Brazil
and France are on the lookout for electronic engineers.
Jennifer: But these are all highly-skilled jobs that require qualified people – people with
specialist training and qualifications. Sometimes people with such skills take on a job
where they are overqualified, such as doing a cleaning job or serving in a cafe.
Rob: So many of the immigrants' skills are just going to waste and, as we have
mentioned, their home country is losing skills that could have helped improve the
local economy there.
Jennifer: However, there is evidence that many migrants are working abroad to send money
to family back at home – these are called remittances. They are seen as an
important source of funds for economic development. In fact, official figures show
that last year $US400bn of this money was being sent back to developing countries.
Rob: It must be hard for people to uproot – or move from their home – leave the family
behind and go overseas. And it can also be a challenge to get permission to work
abroad.
Jennifer: Yes, you mean getting a working visa – that's a stamp in your passport that allows
you to work in a certain country. In Australia for example, points are awarded to
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people with skills that are needed in the country; those who get the right amount of
points are allowed in.
Rob: This system allows a country to adapt to the changes in skills needed to keep the
economy growing. Other countries only issue a working visa if someone has been
offered a specific job.
Jennifer: Of course, migrants may hope that the new country's streets are paved with gold
– or that they think it's an easy place to get rich – but if it's not, they can at least get
some work experience that will benefit them when they get home: a sort of brain
gain!
Rob: Hmm, how's your brain Jen? It's time now to reveal the answer to today's question.
Earlier I asked you, according to figures from the United Nations, which one of these
countries has the largest number of immigrants as a percentage of its national
population?
Jennifer: And I said a) The United States of America.
Rob: And you are wrong. The answer is Qatar. Around 75% of its population are
immigrants – so that's people who have moved there but were not born there. The
USA has many more immigrants but they only make up around 12% of the
population. OK, well, it's almost time to go but before we do, Jennifer could you
remind us of some of the words we have heard today.
Jennifer: Yes. We heard:
global migration
emigrate
economic migrants
a brain drain
qualified
overqualified
remittances
to uproot
a working visa
streets are paved with gold
Rob: Thanks Jennifer. Well, that's all we have time for today. Please join us again soon for
6 Minute English from bbclearningenglish.
Both: Bye.
