Employment territories of haitian migrants in Paraná

Abstract

Haitian migration to Brazil, of a transnational nature, stems from various explanatory factors rooted in the French colonial heritage and, later, in the political-economic ties with the United States, historically situating Haiti as a country of emigration. In Paraná, the influx of Haitians marks the largest migratory movement in decades. The dispersal of the Caribbean population occurred across various regions of the state, gaining significant momentum, and sharing a common goal of seeking employment and improved living conditions. Therefore, the objective of this article is to investigate the State of Paraná as a migrant territory amidst contemporary migrations that have drawn migrants from the global south (particularly Haitians and Venezuelans) to this area. We initiate our analysis by examining the relationship between migration and employment, delving into the socioeconomic characteristics of Paraná based on the study titled "Vários Paranás" (2017), conducted by the Paraná Institute of Economic and Social Development (IPARDES), aiding our understanding of what has made Paraná municipalities appealing to migrants, especially since the 2010s. We highlight the productive dynamics of meatpacking plants as integral components of significant economic hubs. To shed light on the protagonists of the migratory process—namely, the migrants—the research employed the following methodological procedures: a) discussion of a theoretical-methodological framework concerning the research issue, b) fieldwork conducted between 2020 and 2022, involving interviews with Haitian migrants residing in the municipalities of Cascavel, Coronel Vivida, Curitiba, Londrina, Maringá, and Toledo. We assert the existence of work territories for Haitian migrants in Paraná, namely: West and Southwest, North, and East. These territories not only serve as spaces dedicated to work but also as arenas of resistance, construction, and collective struggle aimed at enhancing the living conditions of migrants.