Shifting Sands of Time: Navigating the Temporal Realities of Chinese Migrant Labor between Ghana and the Homeland


Jinpu Wang, Syracuse University

In an era marked by Chinas burgeoning yet paradoxical influence in global affairs, its expanding footprint in Africa, primarily through aid, investment, and entrepreneurial engagements, has spurred a significant demand for skilled Chinese labor. The demand has transformed thousands of Chinese labor migrants into a highly mobile workforce, predominantly driven by short-term financial aspirations (Ma Mung 2008; Driessen 2015). This paper, drawing upon rich ethnographic research conducted between 2016 and 2022 with Chinese labor migrants in Ghana and returnees in China, examines the nuanced interplay between temporal disruptions and the migratory aspirations and trajectories of these individuals. The research illuminates how the unpredictable operational dynamics of Chinese businesses in Africa generate a complex tapestry of temporal experiences for these laborers. This temporal mosaic comprises elements of disruption, extension, suspension, and circular mobility, profoundly impacting the migrants lived experiences and future-planning. One of the main findings is the emergence of a state of excessive duration in their lives. This phenomenon manifests in two contrasting ways. Firstly, the slow-paced industrial activities in Africa, coupled with monotonous social interactions, culminate in an abundance of unproductive, suspended time. This not only hinders the migrants efficiency in capital accumulation but also creates a sense of temporal dislocation from their usual rhythm of life. Secondly, many migrants find themselves adapting to, and even enjoying, the decelerated tempo of Ghanaian time, which offers a more relaxed pace of life and work compared to their experiences in China. The experience of living and working in Africa signifies not just a physical relocation for these migrants but also a significant temporal dislocation. They find themselves increasingly disembedded from the accelerated temporalities characterizing Chinas rapid market transitions. This disembedding process leads to a substantial reconfiguration of their migratory aspirations and life-course arrangements. Contrary to previous interpretations that frame their African sojourns as displacements of the present (Driessen 2016), oriented towards an eventual return to China, this study posits these migrations as uncertain, open-ended ventures that pave the way for diverse and unforeseen life trajectories. Furthermore, this research provides a novel perspective by situating these migratory experiences within the broader context of contemporary migration in the Global South. It underscores the significance of understanding migration not just as a spatial phenomenon but as a temporal one, where time and its various manifestations play a critical role in shaping migrants experiences and decisions. The study thus contributes to the emerging body of literature on Sino-African relations by focusing on the temporal dimension, which has been relatively underexplored in existing literature. In conclusion, this paper offers a unique lens through which to view Chinese labor migration to Sub-Saharan Africa. By emphasizing the temporal aspects of these migrants experiences, it sheds light on the complex, multi-dimensional nature of contemporary migration. It highlights the importance of considering temporal factors alongside spatial and economic ones in understanding migratory patterns and their implications. This approach not only enriches our understanding of Sino-African migration but also contributes to a more nuanced comprehension of what time and locality mean when migrants travel through different modes of modernity.

Non-presenting author: Yu Xiang, Shanghai University

This paper will be presented at the following session: