This article explores migration from Zimbabwe to the UK and South Africa and the experiences of the receiving countries from the perspective of the migrants. It provides a critical examination of the impact of structural barriers in both the UK and South Africa on the economic experiences of migrants. The effects of immigration status, due to the exclusion of asylum-seekers in the UK and the presence of undocumented migrants in the UK and South Africa, is explored in relation to employment and remittance activities. The clear evidence of the deskilling taking place among the majority of Zimbabwean migrants - and its impact on remittances and other forms of transnational support - is also examined. The article concludes that any real commitment to alleviating global poverty on the part of the world's migrant receiving countries must include a re-examination of barriers to employment, education and the use of skills, since these barriers not only have a short-term impact on remittances to the sending country and fiscal capacity to contribute in the receiving country, but will also impact on longer-term development should the migrants return to their country of origin. © 2006 The Author(s) Journal Compilation © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Zimbabwe Migration Employment remittances Receiving countries

international migration United Kingdom Eurasia Western Europe Africa emigration Sub-Saharan Africa Zimbabwe Europe immigration Southern Africa