Migrant Labour in Europe, 1600-1900: The Drift to the North Sea

Migrant Labour in Europe (1987) explores the movement of workers from less prosperous regions to areas with demand for their services, identifying seven major systems of migrant labor. A detailed study of the North Sea System reveals significant waves of immigration in the seventeenth century and a rapid decline in migratory labor in the late nineteenth century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Migrant Labour in Europe (1987) delves into the phenomenon of workers migrating from less prosperous regions of Europe to areas where their services are in demand. The author identifies seven primary systems of migrant labor:
1. The North Sea System: This system involves Westphalian workers migrating to the German and Dutch North Sea Coast, as well as Walloon/French workers heading to the Belgian and Zeeland coasts.
2. The area between London and the Humber: This region encompasses the area between London and the Humber River, attracting workers from various parts of England.
3. The Paris Basin: This area includes Paris and its surrounding regions, attracting workers from various parts of France.
4. Provence, Languedoc, and Catalonia: This region encompasses the southern parts of France, including Provence, Languedoc, and Catalonia, attracting workers from nearby regions and other parts of Europe.
5. Castile: This region includes Castile and its surrounding areas, attracting workers from Spain and other parts of Europe.
6. Piedmont: This region includes Piedmont and its surrounding areas, attracting workers from northern Italy and other parts of Europe.
7. Central Italy with Corsica: This region encompasses central Italy, including Corsica, and attracts workers from both Italy and other European countries.

A comprehensive analysis of the first system, tracing its development and changes, is brought into synchronous relation with data for the other regions. The evidence reveals significant waves of immigration in the seventeenth century, followed by a rapid decline in migratory labor to the North Sea in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. This period coincided with the emergence of new "pull areas" created by the expanding industrial complexes of Germany, which attracted labor from regions outside Europe.

The study also highlights the diverse characteristics and experiences of migrant workers within these systems. It explores factors such as the motivations for migration, the challenges faced by workers during their journey, and the impact of migration on both the sending and receiving regions. The book provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of migrant labor in Europe and its historical, social, and economic implications.

Weight: 850g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032367330