Darbo migracijos, kvalifikacijos ir lietuviškosios tapatybės sankirtos: išsaugoti, palaikyti ar kurti?

Abstract

The article discusses the relationship between national identity and skilled labor migration: how present-day emigrants working in skilled labor jobs create and maintain their national identity and seek either to preserve it or to renounce it. How do the position of emigrants in foreign labor markets, their social networks in Lithuania and the foreign country they work in, and their plans for the future reflect the strategies and concepts of construing national identity? An analysis of data collected in research done in 2011 showed that skilled labor migrants practiced their Lithuanianness largely through ties with their relatives and friends living in Lithuania. Seeking to preserve the employment position they have secured abroad and improve their qualifications, emigrants have limited opportunities to join official and non-official networks of Lithuanians living abroad; and while working mainly in an international labor pool they experience a lack of Lithuanian social relations.