Exploratory Research on Labour Migration in Southeastern Europe
Work Package 4 (WP4) of the RETLAMI-SEE project is dedicated to conducting empirical research on selected groups of migrant workers to analyze the impact of migration on their home and destination communities. The research will focus on three communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina with long-term migration paths to Slovenia, Austria, and Germany. These communities will be selected based on their residents’ migration patterns, work specializations (e.g., care work, construction, transport), and the gendered division of labour.
The project will take a historical perspective to explore the broad societal transformations triggered by labour migration. Using a micro-level perspecitve, from transnational angle, the research aims to:
- Develop a typology of labour migration strategies from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Slovenia, Austria, and Germany during socialist and post-socialist periods.
- Examine factors shaping migration strategies, such as changing legal frameworks, migration policies, motivations to migrate (economic, political, or personal), and the types of work performed by migrants.
- Analyze the gendered aspects of migration.
The research team will use in-depth oral history and biographical narrative (life history) interviews with labour migrants to trace changing subjectivities and migration narratives over time. Additional semi-structured interviews with employers and trade union leaders will provide insights into changes in labour regimes and responses from labour movements. This will be complemented by archival research and statistical data collection.
Deliverables and Expected Results
As part of WP4, the project will:
- Create a digital database of oral histories, archival sources, and statistical data, which will serve as a stepping-stone for future research in the field of labour migration.
- Develop a virtual/digital interactive map and timeline based on the database, showcasing migration pathways, timelines, and interconnected aspects of migration. These tools will be made publicly available on the RETLAMI-SEE website.
Collaboration and Capacity Building
WP4 also focuses on building the research capacity of early-stage researchers and post-docs at the University of Banja Luka (UNIBL). These researchers will work alongside senior researchers from partner institutions (UNIVIE, ZRC SAZU, and IOS) on four fieldwork missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Austria, and Germany. This collaboration will include mentoring on research design, interview preparation, ethical considerations, and archival work.
Stay Updated
As the project progresses, the database, interactive map, and timeline will be published on this page. These resources will provide valuable insights into the dynamics of labour migration in Southeastern Europe, contributing to both academic research and public understanding.