In a world of rapidly growing superdiversity, migration itself is also changing. In addition to classic migration - from one country of
origin to one country of destination - new and more complex migration patterns are developing. Transmigration - or multiple
migration - implies that people now arrive after stays in several countries en route, and may later move on again. In the big cities,
but also in smaller towns, we are seeing increasingly large groups of these transmigrants, often in vulnerable social situations. The
temporary nature impacts upon their everyday lives and welfare needs.
Transmigration looks at the experience of transmigrants in Belgium and examines the challenges for social work organizations and
local authorities. Transmigrants are not always an easy group to deal with. They are newcomers who do not yet know how to
navigate their way around the social field. Their expectations are coloured by experiences in other countries. Language barriers,
uncertainty and the transitory nature of their stay make their relationship with social services that much more difficult.
Transmigrants live in family and social networks that transcend national borders. Can care providers make better use of these networks?
Based on research conducted among the Moroccan, Ghanaian and Brazilian transmigrants in Brussels and Antwerp, the authors sketch a picture of the living environment of Belgium's transmigrants, their welfare needs and the use they make of formal and informal care provision systems.
