Labour Migration A Study of Trinidad and Tobago Women and Migration

Migration has been a significant part of the cultural fabric of the Caribbean islands for centuries. The process began with the discovery and conquest of the islands by European colonials, followed by the forced migration of African slaves and the importation of indentured labourers from the East. Since the mid twentieth century, however, Caribbeans have been leaving the islands. Recent census data from Trinidad and Tobago show that the out-migration of women to the global North has exceeded that of men. This research examines the migration of women from the twin-island state of Trinidad and Tobago. Drawing upon interviews with 25 female Trinidadian migrants, the study explores migration to Britain and the United States. I initially seek to answer the why question, by analysing the decision-making process in international migration, and then how women migrate and adapt to a new country and culture. Moreover, I compare migration from Trinidad and Tobago to Britain and the United States, highlighting major similarities and differences in terms of education, race, and employment, which led skilled professional women to migrate to Britain legally while domestic workers settled in the United States illegally. Additionally, I challenge the idea of the forgotten child by presenting a more holistic view of the implications of migration for the left-behind family. I propose that we need to think in terms of a reordering of the Caribbean family unit rather than seeing it, as is common, as a disordered, chaotic institution. I found that the main motivation for women to emigrate is ‘self-sacrifice’ and altruism. Migrant women are disadvantaged and susceptible to various forms of discrimination. Despite this, I argue, women are determined to ‘make it’ through migration in the interest of their families, and they demonstrate their resilience in enduring difficulties in order to create a better future for themselves and their children.