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Social Capital and Citizens’ Attitudes towards Migrant Workers

Author

Listed:
  • Abdoulaye Diop

    (Social and Economic Survey Research Institute, Qatar University, Qatar)

  • Yaojun Li

    (Department of Sociology, University of Manchester, UK, and Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research, University of Manchester, UK)

  • Majed Mohammmed H. A. Al-Ansari

    (Social and Economic Survey Research Institute, Qatar University, Qatar)

  • Kien T. Le

    (Social and Economic Survey Research Institute, Qatar University, Qatar)

Abstract

This study examines Qatari citizens’ attitudes toward migrant workers. While much research has been conducted on citizens’ attitudes toward the abolition, tightening, or loosening of the Kafāla system in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with regard to migrant workers’ residency rights, and on their contribution to the economic development of these countries, little is known about how citizens’ religiosity and social engagement impact their acceptance of migrant workers. In the present study, we address this question by examining the effects of religious and social capital on Qatari citizens’ preferences for having Arab and Western migrant workers as neighbours, drawing on data from two nationally representative surveys in Qatar. The results indicate that, even after controlling for a wide range of socio-demographic attributes, social capital in terms of trust and bridging social ties has a strong effect on the Qatari nationals’ preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdoulaye Diop & Yaojun Li & Majed Mohammmed H. A. Al-Ansari & Kien T. Le, 2017. "Social Capital and Citizens’ Attitudes towards Migrant Workers," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(1), pages 66-79.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:socinc:v:5:y:2017:i:1:p:66-79
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Minglei Zhu & Xiaowei Song & Wenxin Chen, 2022. "Impact of Social Capital on Land Arrangement Behavior of Migrant Workers in China," Journal of Economic Analysis, Anser Press, vol. 1(1), pages 35-48, September.
    2. Yaojun Li & Anthony Heath, 2017. "The Socio-Economic Integration of Ethnic Minorities," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(1), pages 1-4.

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