Achiso, Demeke (PhD)Haile, Habte2018-06-282023-11-042018-06-282023-11-042015-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/4442In developing countries like Ethiopia, the labor power migration affects the socio- economic development of the people. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the causes and consequences of labor power migration from the Kembata-Tembaro and Hadiya zones to the RSA and its implications for the bilateral relations of Ethio-RSA. To achieve this objective, both quantitative and qualitative methods are employed, and used both primary and secondary sources of information. Primary information was collected mainly from the migrants, students, teachers, Labour and Social Affairs Bureaus, Trade and Industry Bureaus and bank managers from the study area. Besides the representatives from the MoLSA and MoFA were sources of the primary data. The research used as secondary sources relevant literature, documents, statistics, internet sources and books. The data is gathered in four randomly selected woredas (local districts) from the Kembata-Tembaro and Hadiya zones. The tools used to gather the primary information were questionnaires and interview/ FGDs guidelines. A total 475 respondents were selected for survey questionnaire by stratified sampling technique. Moreover, (14) and (32) key informants were selected purposely for interview and FGDs guidelines respectively. Descriptive statistical method was employed to analyze quantitative data by using SPSS whereas the qualitative data was analyzed using description as well as narration to triangulate its validity and reliability with the quantitative data set. The result of the study indicated that labor power migration is dominated by young aged 15-29, single male, at the level of secondary education, at Kembata and Hadiya ethnic groups, and those traders or small entrepreneurs. The Result of the study indicated that lack of job opportunities, family or peer pressure, poverty, unemployment, lack of skill to create jobs, population density with agricultural land scarcity, brokers, and lack of commitment of the local government officials to create jobs are the key push factors of migration. On the other hand, job opportunities, better income, social networks and smugglers at destination country are identified as pull factors of migration. The finding of the study also showed that the flow of remittance, creation of job opportunities, diaspora benefits, better life and poverty reduction are the positive consequences of migration. Whereas, income inequality among the people, dependency on remittance, brain drain, school dropout rates and cultural diffusion are identified as negative consequences of migration in the study area. Regarding the implications of migration for the bilateral relations, the findings of the study indicate that the migration of Ethiopians to the RSA has no formal positive and /or negative implications for the bilateral relations of Ethio-RSA. Thus, based on these findings, recommendations are made. Key terms: Labor power migration, illegal migration, Out-migrants, Return migrants, Non-migrants, Push factors, Pull factors, Causes, Consequences, Implications, Ethiopia, RSA,enLabor Power MigrationIllegal MigrationReturn MigrantsPush FactorsImplicationsThesis