Page 74 - IJPS-10-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Migrant traders, social capital, and politics

Multiple studies have shown that migrant communities Table 4. Origin of employees and relationship with owners of
necessitate social capital to sustain their livelihoods in a Warung Madura in Jakarta
new location (Adedeji, 2021; Pieterse, 2003; Seferiadis Category N %
et al., 2015; Suyanto et al., 2020). Social capital comprises a
set of actual or potential resources associated with durable Origin of employees
networks of more or less institutionalized relationships All from Madura 80 40
characterized by mutual recognition and shared values Some (a few) from Madura 4 2
(Bourdieu, 1986). This can include specific values and Some (many) from Madura 116 58
norms, social networks, and trust. Similarly, Coleman Total (N) 200 100
(1988) understood social capital as a resource within Relationship with owners
individual relationships that could potentially yield Close family (blood relatives) 90 45
benefits in the form of support, information, control, or
other resources. Putnam (1995) adds the variable as a Distant family (not blood relatives) 60 30
resource within social networks and norms that facilitate Neighbors 18 9
cooperation among individuals for mutual benefit. Friends 32 16
Social participation, social networks, trust, and Total (N) 200 100
reciprocity have shown a positive correlation with the Source: Field study questionnaire data (2023).
quality of life among migrant workers (Adedeji, 2021;
Mohanty et al., 2016). In his research in Thailand, Garip of 196 (98%) out of 200 respondents indicated that their
(2008) stated that the internal migration process was employees originate from Madura (Table 4). Furthermore,
significantly influenced by the availability of social capital most owners and employees are from the Sumenep
at their destination. Migrants are more inclined to migrate Regency, with only a few hailing from Bangkalan, Sampang,
when these resources are more abundant and accessible at and Pamekasan. One of the informants, Mr. Masduki,
the destination. However, while the findings of this study mentioned that traditionally, individuals from Sumenep
are consistent with Garip’s study on the importance of were already well-known in grocery stall businesses,
social capital for migrant workers, this article also shows while migrants from the other three regencies are more
that the social capital of the Madurese migrant stall owners likely to be included in scrap metal businesses, satay stalls,
is mainly bound by a common ethnic identity and local or barbershops, common among Madurese migrants.
wisdom, especially those derived from traditional Islamic Moreover, 150 (75%) respondents had family relationships
teachings. with the owners, and the remaining 50 (25%) were friends
The availability of social capital is one of the critical or neighbors of the owners (Table 4).
factors driving the self-sufficiency of groups of migrant This study revealed that the relationship between
traders from Madura. In his research, Prayitno et al. (2014) Madurese stall owners and their employees who are not
reported that a sense of togetherness, a sense of belonging, their immediate family, such as Madurese neighbors or
neighborliness, and various other demographic attributes friends, creates an artificial but still important bond as one
significantly influence the duration of stay for Madurese of the modalities of social capital. This artificial “pseudo-
migrant traders in the city of Malang. Moreover, individuals family” or fake “political bond” is mainly formed due to
with higher social capital resources are more engaged in trust and reciprocity between the two parties (Gelderblom,
internal migration (Prayitno et al., 2014; Sridhar et al., 2018). The trust given by the Warung Madura owner
2013; Waters et al., 2010). Utomo (2019) also reported that is often established long before the Warung Madura
strong social and ethnic networks, accompanied by mutual employee is recruited. In addition, the reciprocity factor
trust, serve as important resources for the Madurese is also important because both parties feel they need
migrant community in Jakarta. These previous studies each other and are not disadvantaged. In this context, the
are generally consistent with the findings of this present concept of bridging social capital can be used to explain
research, which highlight the important role of social how relationships between individuals who come from
capital as one of the keys to the success of Madurese small different groups, classes, or identities can be bridged
grocery stall businesses in Jakarta. through trust, shared norms, and a sense of reciprocity
Migrant traders who own Madurese small grocery stall between them (Gelderblom, 2018; Sørensen, 2016). In this
businesses in Jakarta make use of social networks mainly study, in some cases, even Warung Madura employees who
in the form of family and community relationships (family, do not come from the immediate family can be accepted or
friends, and neighbors) to recruit their employees. A total considered as part of the immediate family by the Warung

Volume 10 Issue 4 (2024) 68 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2637