Abstract

• Migrant labourers have gained an important part in global economy, as the remittance migrants send their income to their families account for a significant share of the overall household income. Remittances are usually defined as the sum of workers’ remittances, compensation of employees and migrants’ transfers in the balance of payments (Ratha, 2003). However, remittance channel and allocation are important; remittances have directly influenced the livelihoods and poverty reduction of the households, as the money is often used to support their children’ education, food, shelter and medical treatment. The aim of this research is to discover how the internal migrant workers from food and beverage industry, industrial zone (1), Mandalay cope to use and allocate their income. The objectives of this study are to explore how they use and allocate their income, and which channel is used for remittance transfer. The descriptive research design is applied in this research. Key informant interview, and Focus Group discussion are conducted. As the research outcome, these mechanisms of the use and allocation of their income include the various strategies to increase their income by migrating elsewhere in search of a new job and by relying more heavily on remittances, and balancing saving and expenditure, especially for their livelihood.