The Latin American Faculty of Social Studies (FLACSO) and the International Organization on Migrations studied the phenomenon of Haitian migration and reached some conclusions that went against commonly held beliefs. The Haitians migrate to the Dominican Republic, according to the report carried in El Caribe, because there are jobs that, although poorly paid, are in much demand in the neighboring country. The great majority do not come to live permanently, and they do not displace Dominican workers, finds the research conducted. Finally, there is no ?peaceful invasion.?
The FLACSO-OIM Survey on Haitian Immigration in the Dominican Republic shows that the majority (84%) of Haitians stay less than six months. One of the first conclusions that the survey supported was the fact that there were far less than 1 million Haitians residing in Dominican territory.
While the team is still working on the projections of their survey sample, it appears that there are clearly less than 1 million Haitians in the DR, but more than the 440,000 cited by the Central Bank or the 550,000 cited by the World Bank. According to the most recent report, the movement of the immigrants is clearly circular, with a constant coming and going of workers, and over half staying for less than a month. The study shows that although there is a consistent level of substandard pay for the work that is done, the Haitian workers tend to send nearly half of what they earn back to Haiti. As for displacing Dominican workers, it appears that the Haitians only get the jobs that no one else is willing to do. A share of 31% percent work in construction and 15% work in the sugar industry.