The effects of, and solution to migration of skilled labour

Apr 09, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
Your caption titled “The concepts of ‘brain gain’ and ‘brain circulation’ remain unclear” to my previous letter relating to the migration of skilled human capital did not accurately reflect what the main tenant of my argument was.
I’m not interested in a lecture on euphemisms and unproven hypotheses; I’m more interested in real solutions to addressing the devastating effects that the loss of our best and brightest has on every facet of our lives. Ms. Marissa Lowden in her response titled ‘Brain Gain’ and ‘Brain Circulation’ surprises me with her analytical ability once again and concluded that I’m only familiar with the concept of ‘brain drain’ and felt that a lesson was in order.

I can chide Ms. Lowden for using the concepts of brain gain and circulation interchangeably and can engage her in a prolix discussion on the concepts, but whose purpose does it serve?
And furthermore, your letter column is not the place for that. Again, I don’t care for ostentatious terminologies and conceptualizations, but rather the effects of such phraseology to the economy and lives of our citizens.

It was to this end, I was pleased with the latter half of Ms. Lowden’s letter, which attempted to address solutions and effects of migration of skilled labour.
In addressing the effects, she is convinced that there is a large number of overseas-based Guyanese who are contributing towards nation building and no research is required to prove this.
Firstly, I think we have to be careful and not confuse and label our entire Diaspora community as comprising of skilled professionals; and secondly, from my observations and interactions with my colleagues in the private and public sectors, the inability to attract competent and skilled labour is a chief impediment to their companies and organisations.

If you don’t believe me, check the results of the surveys compiled leading up to the Presidential Summit on Private Sector Development held in 2006 and research done by all the major donor agencies.
As part of her solution, Ms. Lowden believes that individual responsibility is paramount and it is up to those who have migrated to feel a sense of duty and nationalism and contribute their skills back to Guyana.
Well, what happens when they don’t show interest in contributing?

And to answer her question about whether Guyana should resolve to limit its migration numbers of skilled labour, my answer is an unequivocal yes.
This resolve should include various strategies and solutions of retention and attraction and also address the fundamental sources of why they left to begin with.
Clinton Urling

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The effects of, and solution to migration of skilled labour

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