Migrant Workers in Rural Wales and the South Wales Valleys

Jones, Laura and Lever, John ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2188-8518 (2014) Migrant Workers in Rural Wales and the South Wales Valleys. Project Report. Wales Rural Observatory.

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Abstract

This executive summary provides an overview of research carried out by the WRO between May 2012 and October 2013 to investigate international economic migration to rural Wales and the South Wales Valleys. Background The Wales Rural Observatory (WRO) was commissioned by the Welsh Government in 2012 to undertake a study into the situation and experiences of international migrant workers in Wales. This report builds on previous research into A8 migration to rural Wales (see WRO, 2008); expanding the focus of inquiry to include A2 migrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania who joined the EU in January 2007, and extending the geographical scope to include the South Wales Valleys. This research has the following seven objectives: i. To quantify international migration to rural Wales and the South Wales valleys, identify temporal patterns of arrivals and departures, and geographical patterns of domestic movement/ residence. ii. To update the 2008 survey of migrant workers, identifying changes in the characteristics and intentions of migrant workers, their social and economic situation, and community interactions. iii. To position recent labour migration from new EU member states in the wider context of international migration, including longer-established migrant groups. iv. To analyse the pressures and implications from international migration on public services, including schools, health services and social services, and how responsible authorities are addressing these issues. v. To analyse the economic contribution of international migrants in rural Wales, including positive and negative impacts on local labour markets, and contributions to socioeconomic development through entrepreneurship. vi. To analyse the interaction and integration of international migrants with local communities in rural Wales, including formal and informal mechanisms to address cultural tensions and differences, the development of new cultural activities, and the development of language skills. vii. To identify examples of good practice and make recommendations for initiatives to support migrant entrepreneurship and promote community integration through the Rural Development Plan.