A future exodus

Micronesia

A future exodus to U.S.A.?

“The viability of a future Micronesian economy at the same level as today is extreme ly problematic,” says the noted Micronesian analyst, Henry Schwalbenberg, S.J., in a re cent study. ’’ln many areas known and exploitable re sources are scarce or non existent. Natural population growth is overtaking several of the islands. A new generation has grown accustomed to a living standard artificially fin anced by the United States Congress. Many spend their lives aimlessly drinking. Too many decide to end their lives. ’’Under such conditions when traditional social and economic supports are in adequate due to the imposition of a consumerism they cannot sustain, hope for the next gen eration is a dim and nebulous reality. Escape to America may become their only future...’’

In an area where data are not complete, trying to gauge the impact of migration on Mic ronesia is not an easy business.

However, Schwalbenberg’s re cent paper, ’’Micronesians on the Move: Guam or Hawaii?” establishes a baseline from which to make educated gues ses about the present and fu ture. In either case, the Micronesian migration picture is disturbing.

As the quotation at the top of this story indicates, there exists the possibility, by most guesses a likely one, that within a few years there will be great press ure on Micronesians to travel to the United States for employ ment. Under the free associa tion arrangements, the islands will have unrestricted access to America. (Schwalbenberg’s migration study is one of a number of reports he has prepared for the Micronesian Seminar, a Jesuit run program located on Truk.

His memos deal with political status issues. For more informa

tion on this highly-recom mended series, write to the Micronesian Seminar, Truk, Caroline Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, 96942).

Within Micronesia, there are sharp differences in migration patterns. In Palau, for instance, one out of every five Palauans lives outside of the group, most on a permanent basis. In fact, Guam, with an estimated 1570 Palauans, has the largest Palau community in the world except for the capital of Palau, Koror.

In contrast, less than 500 Marshallese are thought to be residing outside of the Marshall Islands. Most are in Hawaii (about 140), and many of these migrants are students and others who are expected to return to Micronesia.

Of other island groups, Schwalbenberg said; ’’Although any firm conclusion must be

held in abeyance given the paucity of available data, it would seem that among Caroli nians and Marshallese, only the Palauans have demonstrated a unique, at least for the present time, ability to move outside of their home islands while other Micronesiasns have not yet been able to break or extend those cultural bonds which tie them to their land, family, and society. Nor have the bulk of Micronesians obtained the ne cessary training or education to prepare them for a successful life in the United States.”

A related issue which de serves considerable investiga tion is the influx of non- Micronesians into the region.

Again, data are sketchy, but one is able to develop a picture with clear outlines of a worri some situation.

In the Northern Marianas, by far the richest of the Microne sian groups, about 15 per cent of the population comes from elsewhere. In all islands, Filipi nos and Americans represent the bulk of migrants.

For instance, in Palau im migration officials report that “63 per cent of their professio nal technicians in the private sector are foreign aliens, while

in construction and similar businesses, aliens make up 41 per cent of the workforce. In non-skilled areas such as sales persons and clerical workers, 98 per cent of the strength is Palauan. ”

Given these forces, Schwal benberg’s conclusions are worth repeating: ”As Microne sians have been siphoned off into well paying, but unproduc tive government jobs, or into emigration to high wage areas in the United States, or into idleness dependent on job holding relatives to pay the bills, it is the Filipino immigrant, leaving the political and econo mic difficulties of his homeland, who has the potential of provid ing the backbone for a future productive Micronesia. ”Yet, should it occur during free association that Microne sians falter in their efforts to develop a productive economy and that the United States balks at additional requests to sup port the life-style to which Micronesians have become accustomed, then for those who have either lost the ability or the desire to return to their traditional life, migration to the United States will become their

only future. ”

Floyd K.

Takeuchi.