Different Models of Labour Migration in Contemporary Macedonia – or What Does pečalba Mean Today?
Different Models of Labour Migration in Contemporary Macedonia – or What Does pečalba Mean Today?

Summary/Abstract: In this paper, the author raises some terminological questions concerning the phenomenon of a particular kind of labour migration, pečalba, and the term “transnationalism”: if and how it can still be used to define the present models of pečalba. Basing her argument on fieldwork in Western Macedonia, the author observes at least two models of pečalba – to Slovenia (seasonal male migration) and to Italy (migration of entire families living abroad almost the whole year). Even the latter work migration is perceived as temporary, because Macedonia remains the place of reference for the migrants. They invest money, build houses and marry off children in Italy, and because only men have salaried jobs, it can be considered a male migration. Thus, one can see some sort of continuity of the traditional model of temporary labour mobility known in the Balkans since the second half of the 19th century. As for the concept “transnationalism”, the author finds is very useful for understanding migrants’ practices and experiences, but also agrees with some scholars that this term is not adequate for describing migration in the Balkans. She holds that migration from Macedonia is more trans-state than transnational, since numerous migrants belong to national minorities: As ethnic Albanians or Turks, they perceive their country of origin above all through the prism of territory and citizenship, and not through ethnicity or nationality. Furthermore, crossing state borders is one of the central elements of the interlocutors’ narratives of pečalba.

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