The Golden Opportunity? Migration to Svalbard from Thailand and the Philippines

Abstract

The contribution focuses on international migration to rural peripheries in the Arctic, specifically Thais and Filipinx in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Longyearbyen is entangled both in global migration trends and Norway’s geopolitical interests in the Arctic. This article explores the worlds of Thai and Filipinx migrants, why they migrate here and how the national strategy for Longyearbyen impacts their lives in the context of recent developments. Svalbard’s unique territorial status and legislation (e.g. absence of visas or work permits) facilitate international migration, but the place’s specificities constrain migrants’ inclusion (e.g. work-related and political rights, and access to social benefits). Higher chances for a good life of offspring motivate parents to stay longer than anticipated. The politically motivated absence of local focus on the needs of international migrants (e.g. language courses and counselling services) seeks to dampen migration. The result is a grey zone of informal power structures, unequal living, working and housing conditions, language barrier and perceived low level of social participation.