Sustainable Transformation Strategies for Mitigating Socio-Economic Challenges of Rural to Urban Migration in Developing Countries. A Case Study: Garment Factories in Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon City, Myanmar

Abstract

Significant socio-economic challenges were presented by the rapid urban expansion in developing countries, which was further exacerbated by rural-to-urban migration. This paper investigated Myanmar’s policies and community development initiatives (CDIs) in relation to the obstacles encountered by internal migrants, including housing, employment, and legal rights and the socioeconomic challenges faced by rural-to-urban migrants in Myanmar, focusing on garment industry workers in Yangon. These migrants encountered significant challenges including precarious employment, inadequate housing, and limited access to essential services. Current policies and initiatives failed to adequately address these challenges, perpetuating cycles of poverty and vulnerability. The research employed mainly qualitative methodologies and some quantitative approaches to support, including household surveys, in-depth interviews with 20 migrant workers in garment factories, and 8 key informant interviews with NGO and CSO representatives. The findings exposed critical gaps in current policies and initiatives, emphasizing the necessity of inclusive regulatory reforms to reduce migration-driven inequalities and foster resilient urban development. The study’s insights into the socio-economic challenges of migrant workers were crucial for comprehending the dynamics of rural-to-urban migration and emphasized the necessity of comprehensive strategies to address structural disparities, such as equitable labor practices and affordable housing. The findings also represented the deficiencies in government and NGO initiatives to adequately address the needs of migrants and recommend the ongoing assessment and modification of strategies to facilitate the integration of internal migrants into the broader community.