The author examines the experience of various economic groupings of African countries with regard to unrestricted migration among member countries. After an introduction, Section II "examines the nature of labour mobility (migration) during the colonial period. Section III is devoted to an analysis of the provisions for free labour movement/mobility within some African regional economic groupings. The nature and pattern of labour migration is looked at in section IV. In section V, the effects or impact of labour migration on national and regional economies are examined. Section VI attempts an analysis of the socio-economic problems which arise from labour mobility. In section VII, some substantial issues are examined. The final section attempts to formulate some policy recommendations."
This study is concerned with migration to rural areas in Nigeria. The author examines the rural economic structures, social systems, and demographic features affecting such migration. These features are compared for migrants and nonmigrants in the cash cropping and subsistence cropping areas of southwestern Nigeria. The results suggest that rural migration in southwestern Nigeria is mainly urban-rural migration of a colonizing type. Data for the study are from a survey of 1,782 households in 12 villages.
The destabilization of the family in France is, to some extent, attributable to the nation's adoption of inappropriate and inadequate family policies between 1960-80. Despite the family allowance program, the living standard of couples with children declined markedly since 1957. The program's defective benefit structure made it necessary for women with children to supplement family income by working. The high rate of female labor force participation contributed to the destabilization of the family. Evidence of destabilization includes: 1) the declining marriage rate, 2) the increasing number of women raising children by themselves, 3) the increasing divorce and illegitimate birth rates, and 4) the growing number of emotional problems among the young. The family assistance program was initiated in 1952. Until the early 1970s, surplus contributions to the program were continuously used to supplement other social programs, instead of being used to increase family assistance benefits. The program's single family allowance, designed to make it possible for families with children to live on income derived solely from husbands, provided such meager benefits that many women chose to work rather than to apply for the benefits. Consequently, the proportion of the family assistance budget allocated to the single family allowance declined from 43.7%-18.28% between 1952-72. In 1972, the single family allowance was increased, but then retained at the same level for the next 6 years. In 1978 the single family allowance benefit was abolished, and a family subsidy program, with a means test, was instituted. 58% of the beneficiaries of this program were single income families, 33% were multiple income families, and 9% were single parent families. At the present time benefits increase progressively as each new child is added. After 1977, Giscard d Estaing instituted a number of policies to assist large families. Unfortunately, other policies were instituted to promote abortion, contraception, and female labor force participation. Suggestions for improving the family assistance program and ensuring that women have a genuine choice between parenting and employment included: 1) providing an allowance, equal to 1/2 of the minimum wage, to all non-working women with 3 or more children or with a preschool aged child and granting these women the right to participate in the national health insurance and pension system, 2) increasing maternity leaves beyond the current 4-month level, 3) establishing child care facilities for working mothers, 4) altering employment policies to provide more flexible work schedules for working mothers, and 5) providing unemployment insurance for women forced to raise children by themselves. In addition, consideration should be given to granting old age pensions to all women with 3 or more children, even if they never contributed to the pension plan. The adoption of these policies would help revitalize the French family.
A review of current urbanization trends around the world is presented, with particular reference to the situation in Tropical Africa. Topics considered include overurbanization, development, and migration. The elements of both short- and long-term policies concerning urbanization are outlined.
