Adaptation of Livelihood Migrant Circular Informal Sector in Gorontalo City

Abstract

There are permanent and non-permanent movements of people called circular migration. Migrants generally believe that one of the ways to improve family welfare is that people must leave their home areas for a while to work for additional income in the city. Economic development occurs in Gorontalo City, one of which is the trade and service area. The Central Market is one of the main destinations for migrants. This research focuses on traders who are circular migrants. How is the adaptation to the livelihoods of circular migrants who work in the informal sector in the central market of Gorontalo City? The positivistic paradigm is used in this study. The quantitative descriptive analysis technique was used to describe the results of the questionnaire. This research is based on this primary survey to see the adaptation process of circular migrants that has occurred since they migrated. Generally, migrants tend to make adaptations that refer to survival, especially in economic interests. Livelihood strategies carried out by circular migrants in the informal sector are survival strategies, such as debt, and network utilization. Circular migrant community networks have a very large role in assisting new migrants, generally from the same area. These circular migrants were invited by friends and relatives who had previously succeeded in becoming traders at the Central Market of Gorontalo city. The first time to get a job is to apply directly by going to the merchant himself and asking to be hired. Socio-economic changes can be seen from the improvement in the economic level of circular migrant households, an increase in income, and an increase in ownership of business capital.