Transformation of Social Spaces: International Labor Migration from Georgia

Abstract

The concept of space has a multifaceted meaning in geographical science, ranging from the physical location of a place to its political, socio-economic and cultural dimensions. Migration creates new social space while transforming the social, economic, political, institutional, psychological or physical environment. Our research aims to explore how international mobility transforms and restructures the social spaces of Georgian labor migrants at their immigration destination. This change has been examined across multiple dimensions: the socio-economic transformation and economic disparity, migration trends and patterns, transnational connections and social networks, household structure and gender roles, as well as cultural, linguistic, ethnic, religious and institutional affiliation. The primary objective is to determine the types of spaces that can emerge because of Georgian labor migration, considering it as a dynamic process that fundamentally shapes the nature of transformation. Our study employs qualitative research methods, utilizing semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted both in person and online. The desk research method is employed to analyze secondary data, whereas discourse analysis method has been used for interviews. The research spans the period from 2010 to 2024. The target groups are Georgian migrants residing in the USA and in some EU countries. The survey’s main findings highlighted the heterogeneity of immigrant social spaces and the active participation of Georgian migrants through various activities within these spaces, namely: the space where labor activity is transformed (downgraded) professionally, the diasporic space consisting of Georgian congregations in Georgian Orthodox churches, the ethnic-religious and recreation space with the solemn celebration of national or religious holidays, the cultural-educational space with Sunday schools and Georgian cultural centers and the virtual communication space with family members left behind. The results acquired will contribute novel insights to the research on Georgian labor migration, which remains relatively limited.