Sri Lankan migrant families in Bahrain : a case study of living conditions and coping strategies

Abstract

This case study is a detailed description of the experience of Sri Lankan migrant families in Bahrain and aims to explore their legal, economic, and social challenges after arriving in Bahrain and its impact on economic return and family well-being. These migrants’ living conditions show contrasting and negative experiences after arriving at their destinations. The qualitative research method was utilised by drawing descriptive analysis (thematic analysis technique) of compiling data through semi-structured interviews. Thirty in-depth interviews with Sri Lankan migrant families who stayed with their families in Bahrain for more than six months were conducted using a purposive sampling technique. Observation and two interviews with officials were also conducted. All migrants were living with their families at the destination during the interviews. Economic and political macro drivers were contributing factors and were out of migrants’ control. The problems that these potential migrants encountered in Sri Lanka were real and are predicted to persist in the future. The present study found that, since the pushing factors prevail more in the country of origin, the pulling factors become stronger during migration, which also persuades the use of coping mechanisms to accept the contrasting situation in the destination country. As per the obtained data, it was apparent that the arrival in Bahrain was challenging, and often, all the positive prospects for what they were pulled were non-existent. The findings have confirmed that the foremost goal of migration, earning through productive employment, has collapsed during their migration due to legal and economic challenges and social grievances. Furthermore, migration was the source of the changes in the family, including family structure and marriage choices. Lastly, the present study found that migration is about accepting challenges to achieve economic prospects, which is more particular to Middle Eastern countries. For migrants, coping mechanisms become an inevitable strength in their lives. They promptly use various coping mechanisms, regardless of their profession and economic status, to cope with legal, economic, and social challenges ahead of them. The present study explored the uncertain living conditions of migrant worker families in Bahrain, and it enriches the literature with a new sociological and empirical study that provides new evidence about the severe challenges migrants face. The study findings further stress the implementation of globally accepted guidelines, such as Sustainable Development Goals, to preserve migrants’ rights and ensure their migration goals are achieved.