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Rurally rooted cross-border migrant workers from Myanmar, Covid-19, and agrarian movements

Author

Listed:
  • Saturnino M. Borras

    (International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam
    Transnational Institute (TNI)
    College of Humanities and Development Studies (COHD) of China Agricultural University)

  • Jennifer C. Franco

    (Transnational Institute (TNI)
    College of Humanities and Development Studies (COHD) of China Agricultural University)

  • Doi Ra

    (International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam
    Transnational Institute (TNI))

  • Tom Kramer

    (Transnational Institute (TNI))

  • Mi Kamoon

    (Transnational Institute (TNI))

  • Phwe Phyu

    (Transnational Institute (TNI))

  • Khu Khu Ju

    (Transnational Institute (TNI))

  • Pietje Vervest

    (Transnational Institute (TNI))

  • Mary Oo

    (Justice Society)

  • Kyar Yin Shell

    (Lahu Development Network)

  • Thu Maung Soe

    (Metta Development Foundation)

  • Ze Dau

    (Metta Development Foundation)

  • Mi Phyu

    (Mon Area Community Development Organization)

  • Mi Saryar Poine

    (Mon Women Organization)

  • Mi Pakao Jumper

    (Mon Youth Progressive Organization)

  • Nai Sawor Mon

    (Mon Region Land Policy Affair Committee)

  • Khun Oo

    (Pa-O Youth Organization)

  • Kyaw Thu

    (Paung Ku)

  • Nwet Kay Khine

    (Paung Ku)

  • Tun Tun Naing

    (Paung Ku)

  • Nila Papa

    (Paung Ku)

  • Lway Htwe Htwe

    (Ta’ang Students and Youth Organization)

  • Lway Hlar Reang

    (Ta’ang Students and Youth Organization)

  • Lway Poe Jay

    (Ta’ang Students and Youth Organization)

  • Naw Seng Jai

    (Tai Youth Network)

  • Yunan Xu

    (International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Chunyu Wang

    (College of Humanities and Development Studies (COHD) of China Agricultural University)

  • Jingzhong Ye

    (College of Humanities and Development Studies (COHD) of China Agricultural University)

Abstract

This paper examines the situation of rurally rooted cross-border migrant workers from Myanmar during the Covid-19 pandemic. It looks at the circumstances of the migrants prior to the global health emergency, before exploring possibilities for a post-pandemic future for this stratum of the working people by raising critical questions addressed to agrarian movements. It does this by focusing on the nature and dynamics of the nexus of land and labour in the context of production and social reproduction, a view that in the context of rurally rooted cross-border migrant workers necessarily requires interrelated perspectives on labour, agrarian, and food justice struggles. This requires a rethinking of the role of land, not as a factor in either production or social reproduction, but as a central component in both spheres simultaneously. The question is not ‘whether’ it is necessary and desirable to forge multi-class coalitions and struggles against external capital, while not losing sight of the exploitative relations within rural communities and the household; rather, the question is ‘how’ to achieve this. It will require a messy recursive process, going back and forth between theoretical exploration and practical politics.

Suggested Citation

  • Saturnino M. Borras & Jennifer C. Franco & Doi Ra & Tom Kramer & Mi Kamoon & Phwe Phyu & Khu Khu Ju & Pietje Vervest & Mary Oo & Kyar Yin Shell & Thu Maung Soe & Ze Dau & Mi Phyu & Mi Saryar Poine & M, 2022. "Rurally rooted cross-border migrant workers from Myanmar, Covid-19, and agrarian movements," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(1), pages 315-338, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:39:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s10460-021-10262-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10460-021-10262-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nitya Rao & Nivedita Narain & Shuvajit Chakraborty & Arundhita Bhanjdeo & Ayesha Pattnaik, 2020. "Destinations Matter: Social Policy and Migrant Workers in the Times of Covid," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(5), pages 1639-1661, December.
    2. Dennis Arnold & Stephen Campbell, 2017. "Labour Regime Transformation in Myanmar: Constitutive Processes of Contestation," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 48(4), pages 801-824, July.
    3. Mark, SiuSue & Belton, Ben, 2020. "Breaking with the past? The politics of land restitution and the limits to restitutive justice in Myanmar," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    4. Borras, Saturnino M. & Franco, Jennifer C. & Nam, Zau, 2020. "Climate change and land: Insights from Myanmar," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    5. World Bank, 2017. "Increasing the Impact of Public Spending on Agricultural Growth," World Bank Publications - Reports 27557, The World Bank Group.
    6. Franco, Jennifer C. & Borras, Saturnino M., 2019. "Grey areas in green grabbing: subtle and indirect interconnections between climate change politics and land grabs and their implications for research," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 192-199.
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