Moonlighting Behavior among Migrants: Determinants and Implications for Wellbeing in South Africa

Abstract

Notwithstanding the wealth of research on migration and subjective wellbeing, the issue of moonlighting and its welfare implication among migrants has not been thoroughly explored in empirical literature. Using rich individual-level panel data from the University of Cape Town’s National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS), this study established a number of interesting findings: (a) there is moonlighting among international migrants; (b) hours spent on the primary job and financial motive, among other socio-demographic factors are key predictors of moonlighting; (c) international migrants are more likely to have more than one job, very often to meet contingencies, but mostly to help smoothen consumption over the life cycle; and (d) individuals who spend more hours on their primary job are less likely to moonlight. Regarding wellbeing and happiness, it is evident that moonlighting and hours spent on primary jobs negatively influence self-reported wellbeing and happiness. Given the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the potential change in the dynamics of the post-pandemic migration trajectory, job search strategies and economic activities,
gaining a deeper appreciation of moonlighting and its implication on the wellbeing of migrants is essential to national and international policy rethinking in order to achieve a triple win for the migrant, the host and origin countries.