Remittance Behavior of Mon Migrants Working in Malaysia

Authors

  • Min Zar Ni Lin Faculty of Economics, Chiang Mai University
  • Voravidh Charoenloet Faculty of Economics, Chiang Mai University

Keywords:

Remittance, Mon migrants, Behavior, Myanmar, Household expenditure

Abstract

This study aim to provide a better understanding of remittance flows among Mon migrants, the amount remitted and the likelihood to remit from their destination country in Malaysia, and the impacts of these remittances on their households and communities in Myanmar. Moreover, the contribution of remittances to the total income of the remittance receiving households will be described in this study. Regarding the survey design, an ethno-survey methodology was adopted using multi-method data collection, multi-site sampling, multi-level data collection, life history collection and comparative study techniques. Analytical and descriptive approaches were used in order to analyze factors influencing the amount remitted, and the likelihood to remit. The results of this study show that the remittance behavior of Mon migrants is dominated by altruistic feelings, an attachment to their family in Myanmar and the need to provide insurance to the family left behind. Moreover, the migratory trend is towards temporary, rather than permanent migration. It can also be concluded that the inward remittance flows contribute to a reduction in poverty and an improvement in the living standards of the remittance receiving households in Myanmar, and have a positive multiplier effect on household economies over the short-term.

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