Occupational mobility of internal migrants in Fiji

Abstract

This article considers the occupational mobility of internal migrants in Fiji. We seek to answer questions such as: what kinds of jobs do migrants obtain in their destination area? How do these jobs compare with their employment, or lack thereof, before migration? Do previously unemployed migrants tend to find work in the destination areas? Do recent migrants find work but in lower-skilled occupations? Does occupational mobility vary according to motivation for migration? Results highlight some key differences in outcomes depending on the reason for migration. We find that outcomes are much better for those willing to take the risk of migrating before finding employment.