International labor migration is the unique reality of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. Despite seemingly open migration policies and reforms, the GCC states recently engaged in international and domestic policies to manage the migrant population better. Considering the dependency of Gulf states on migrant labor and the constant increase in migration to these states, this article aims to understand the policies pertaining to the presence, conditions of residence, integration, and socioeconomic rights of the migrant labor force. After an overview of migration trends and patterns in the GCC states, the article examines the migration policy framework that regulates and governs migration in the GCC. It also highlights the recent reforms and initiatives taken by the GCC states and a few sending countries which have impacted the migration flows, migrant rights, and development benefits of migration. Finally, the article concludes with a discussion on policy challenges and provides recommendations as a way forward.

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of government institutions and prompted a broad range of policy measures from governments around the world. Policy responses to the pandemic have varied considerably, both in nature and in success. This paper highlights the policy capacities of the UAE in different areas that have contributed to managing the COVID-19 crisis. Specifically, the paper examines the functional capacity, analytical capacity, fiscal capacity, well-timed information-sharing capacity and political capacity of the UAE in addressing the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study on which this paper was based adopted a mixed-method approach to analyze policy capacities. The trajectory and timeframe of COVID-19 from February 2020 to February 2021 were observed intensively and included in the policy capacity analysis. The secondary dataset was collected from several sources and assessed using rapid content analysis to highlight the formal and institutional policy measures implemented during the crisis. To complement the policy analysis and understand the key role of policymakers, semi-structured interviews were conducted with local officials working in various line departments that formulate and implement policy strategies for the UAE government.FindingsThe findings of the study showed that although COVID-19 has severely impacted the UAE, the nation has effectively controlled the spread of the virus and reduced its mortality rate. The UAE government has taken swift policy actions concerning coercive control and mitigation based on a centralized decision-making style, the strengthening of administrative capacity by collaboration, coordination with different departments, successful communication with residents, the allocation of adequate financial resources and a high level of trust in the government by citizens.Originality/valueThis work contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the policy capacity approach to managing the crisis. The UAE case can be used by policymakers as comparative studies of policy designs, tools and capabilities that can be implemented to manage future pandemics and other crises.

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With the introduction of the human development approach in the 1990s, the concept of development is no longer limited to raising per-capita income, industrial and technological advancement or social transformation. It has extended to humane development dimensions such as the equal distribution of resources, eradicating poverty, freedom of choice and justice. The current COVID-19 pandemic crisis has unveiled the flaws in the popular idea of 'development'. It has left millions (of people) behind, rendering current development models unsustainable. The course of action followed by governments worldwide in handling the pandemic has reshaped the debate and broadened our understanding of the quality of life, self-respect, dignity, capabilities and entitlements, critical elements of the human development approach.The continuing challenges of unsustainable growth, multidimensional poverty, climate change and rising inequalities require a reorientation of the present development doctrine towards a more humane, human development paradigm. The human development perspective has evolved in the last three decades, but its use has not been explored. K. Seeta Prabhu and Sandhya S. Iyer attempt to fill this gap in Human Development in an Unequal World. The book provides a straightforward exposition of the critical dimensions of human development and the capabilities approach. The book has 10 chapters. It intends to provide an objective assessment and comprehensive understanding of human development through conceptual, theoretical and empirical dimensions.The introductory chapter begins with the theoretical evolution of the concept of 'human development'. The human development concept is not a new one. The emergence of the human development concept can be traced from well-known thinkers and philosophers like Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, Jeremy Bentham, John Rawls and Robert Nozick. The human development approach differs from others like economic growth, human resource development, human capital and basic needs. The literature on human development mentions three important ways in which this approach differs from other approaches. These are (a) the definition of ends and means; (b) concern with human freedoms and dignity, and (c) concern with human agency, that is, the role of people in development.In this context, Prabhu and Iyer reflect on issues like human rights and human security as essential instruments in achieving human flourishing and well-being.Chapters 2 and 3 discuss the concepts of capabilities, entitlements and human flourishing, fundamental to the human development discourse. One of this book's essential elements is that it presents Sen and Martha Nussbaum's approach to capability as an integrated theoretical framework that provides pathways to human development through productivity processes, empowerment, equity and sustainability; the authors also provide evidence of this from developing countries. The authors have argued that implementing the Right to Food Act 2013 in India has provided legal entitlements to existing ...

International migration is a worldwide phenomenon whose scope, intensity and impact are constantly growing. The Handbook on International Migration presents the current state of studies on migration in the broad sense, which includes migrant settlement policies and practices aimed at regulating migration activities. The review of the book shows that it fails to address the subject of migrants who have temporarily or permanently resided in one nation but, in the event of a crisis, seek to relocate to a third country for a certain period; in such circumstances, how does the third country react to such migrants? Secondly, the book analyses the historical analysis of past migration trends and reasons, but does this affect future migration scenarios? If so, how should governments and relevant policymakers react to the development of their laws and policies? Despite all these limitations, the chapters are designed to offer a unique multidisciplinary perspective on migration to researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners.