Migrant Earnings Transform Family and Community Economies: The Political Economy of Remittances
Abstract
Remittances sent by migrant workers play a significant role in shaping household economies, community development, and broader socio-political dynamics in developing regions. This study investigates the lived experiences of family members who remain in the Zhob Division of Balochistan while their kin migrate abroad or to other parts of Pakistan for employment. The research aims to understand how remittances influence economic security, daily life, and future aspirations, as well as the emotional and psychological effects of family separation. Employing a qualitative research design, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 family heads responsible for managing remittance income. Thematic analysis identified four primary themes: economic transformation and household investment, dependency and financial pressures, emotional and psychological effects of separation, and moral obligations shaping expenditure and savings decisions. Findings reveal that remittances enhance household consumption, improve access to education and healthcare, and sometimes facilitate small-scale entrepreneurial activities. However, these benefits are accompanied by social pressures, dependency anxieties, and moral expectations on both sending and receiving ends. Participants highlighted that remittance flows shape family hierarchies, gender dynamics, and community status. The study underscores the complex interplay between financial inflows, emotional ties, and social obligations, highlighting how remittances operate as a political economy mechanism influencing both private and collective lives. The research contributes to debates on migration, development, and household economics by linking empirical evidence with broader socio-political frameworks, providing insight into how remittance economies transform rural communities and challenge conventional assumptions about migration-driven development in Pakistan.
Keywords: Migrant Earnings; Family Economies: Political Economy; Remittances
