Economist Podcasts Barriers to entry: covid-19 and migration
Jul 30, 2020
Tim Judah, The Economist's Balkans correspondent, navigates the complex landscape of migration and organized crime. He discusses how COVID-19 has intensified border restrictions, impacting migrants disproportionately. Judah highlights a resurgence of tech-savvy criminal networks in the Balkans, evolving from the notorious 1990s gangs. He also critiques nationalist policies that have transformed migration debates in the region, shedding light on the interplay between local and international crime syndicates. Additionally, the conversation touches on recent Mars missions, expanding horizons for exploration.
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Migrant Workers' Lockdown Hardship
- Nomsa Tshuma, a Zimbabwean domestic worker in Johannesburg, lost her income during lockdown.
- She and others in similar situations struggle to pay bills without government support.
Unequal Treatment of Migrants
- South Africa's pandemic response has different rules for citizens and migrants.
- This affects access to cash grants and business closures, disadvantaging migrants.
Fears Driving Migration Restrictions
- Pandemic-related travel restrictions are driven by fear of disease and unemployment.
- These fears, while understandable, don't justify restrictive migration policies.