Search Results

Low-Skilled Labour Migration

Christiane Kuptsch and Philip Martin

in Global Migration Governance

This chapter explores three questions: what global institutions regulate the international migration of low‐skilled workers (ILO and UN Conventions, regional and bilateral agreements), what processes ... More

This chapter explores three questions: what global institutions regulate the international migration of low‐skilled workers (ILO and UN Conventions, regional and bilateral agreements), what processes have shaped and influenced the development of international institutions governing low‐skilled migration (post‐war development in Europe for 1949 ILO, oil shock and recruitment halt for 1975, UN in 1990), and what rationale would there be for multilateral regulation in this area of international migration (rights to protect low‐skilled migrants; efficiency with more movement, assuming full employment). In each case it argues that the global governance of low‐skilled labour migration has been characterized by a ‘rights vs numbers’ trade‐off.Less

High-Skilled Labour Migration

Alexander Betts and Lucie Cerna

in Global Migration Governance

This chapter examines the global governance of high-skilled labour migration. Firstly, it argues that global governance in this area is predominantly characterized by unilateralism and bilateralism, ... More

This chapter examines the global governance of high-skilled labour migration. Firstly, it argues that global governance in this area is predominantly characterized by unilateralism and bilateralism, and that the institutional framework that exists at the multilateral level (in the form of the WTO's GATS Mode 4 and the Global Forum on Migration and Development) is a ‘facilitative’ form of multilateralism. Secondly, it explains the predominance of this level of governance by drawing upon global public goods theory to argue that, unlike many other areas of migration, the costs and benefits of high-skilled labour migration are largely confined to the sending state, the receiving state, and the migrant. Rather than being conceived as a global public good, the governance of high-skilled migration is likely to be a private good, implying that one would expect unilateralism and bilateralism rather than multilateralism. Thirdly, it argues that, on a normative level, an efficiency case cannot be used to support binding multilateralism but might support the development of facilitative multilateralism to improve bilateral partnerships.Less

Policy Issues

Frédéric Docquier and Hillel Rapoport

in Brain Drain and Brain Gain: The Global Competition to Attract High-Skilled Migrants

This section evaluates the policy implications of the brain drain. It focuses on policies that specifically address the causes and consequences of the brain drain. In particular, it explores whether ... More

This section evaluates the policy implications of the brain drain. It focuses on policies that specifically address the causes and consequences of the brain drain. In particular, it explores whether sending countries should rethink their education policy in the face of the brain drain, whether immigration policies in receiving countries are at odds with their aid and development policies, and whether international tax cooperation is required (and feasible) in order to allow for a better sharing of the surplus from international skilled migration. Finally, it discusses the likely effects of the current crisis on the future of international skilled migration from developing to developed countries.Less

International Mobility of Researchers and Scientists: Policy Options for Turning a Drain into a Gain

Kristian Thorn and Lauritz B. Holm‐Nielsen

in The International Mobility of Talent: Types, Causes, and Development Impact

High demand for researchers and scientists has led to an increase in skilled migration in recent years. The chapter focuses on improving our understanding of the push and pull factors affecting the ... More

High demand for researchers and scientists has led to an increase in skilled migration in recent years. The chapter focuses on improving our understanding of the push and pull factors affecting the migration decisions of researchers and scientists from developing countries and discusses policy options for maximizing the potential gains associated with international mobility of advanced human capital. Evidence suggests that a reasonable salary level should be guaranteed but that return decisions of researchers and scientists are primarily shaped by factors such as the quality of the research environment, professional reward structures, and access to state-of-the-art equipment.Less

Citizenship Across the Life Course

Elaine Lynn-Ee Ho

in Citizens in Motion: Emigration, Immigration, and Re-migration Across China's Borders

Analyzing emigration, immigration, and re-migration concurrently, under the framework of contemporaneous migration, directs us toward evaluating what it means to stake claims to different components ... More

Analyzing emigration, immigration, and re-migration concurrently, under the framework of contemporaneous migration, directs us toward evaluating what it means to stake claims to different components of citizenship in more than one political community across a migrant’s life course. This chapter examines the way the Mainland Chinese migrants negotiate social reproduction concerns that extend across international borders, their multiple national affiliations, and aspirations for recognition and rights as they journey between China and Canada across the life course. Patterns of re-migration are transforming the social relations of citizenship, re-spatializing rights, obligations, and belonging. Source and destination countries are also reversed during repeated re-migration or transnational sojourning. Transnational sojourning forges citizenship constellations that interlink how migrants understand and experience citizenship across different migration sites.Less

Highly Skilled Migration to the European Union and the United States

Metka Hercog and Anja Wiesbrock

in Adjusting to a World in Motion: Trends in Global Migration and Migration Policy

This chapter explores how European countries can improve their position in the international competition for talent. It examines existing frameworks on highly skilled migration in three EU ... More

This chapter explores how European countries can improve their position in the international competition for talent. It examines existing frameworks on highly skilled migration in three EU states—Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom—and compares their frameworks to labor migration policy in the United States, their main competitor. Each EU country has recently introduced immigration policies that target skilled migrants. The analysis finds that these new policies are more favorable than they use to be toward high-skilled workers on eligibility criteria, special provision for young migrants, validity of permits and access to permanent residence, family migration options, employment rights, and social security provisions. The results also indicate that now, in many aspects, these countries are more favorable to high-skilled migrants than the United States. However, these policies are still works in progress, and as a result, the United States continues to be more attractive to high-skilled immigrants, and a more popular destination.Less

Highly Skilled Lebanese Transnational Migrants: A Kuwait Perspective

Garret Maher

in Arab Migrant Communities in the GCC

This chapter provides new information relating to aspects of transnational migration among high-skilled Lebanese migrants from a dual country perspective; that of the sending country, Lebanon, and of ... More

This chapter provides new information relating to aspects of transnational migration among high-skilled Lebanese migrants from a dual country perspective; that of the sending country, Lebanon, and of the receiving country, Kuwait. By using a dual, home and host country perspective, the chapter shows a more complete picture of some specific aspects of transnational migration, in particular, the motivations and drivers of migration, and why migrants chose Kuwait as a destination, as opposed to other GCC countries. It then explores aspects of integration and socialization to first identify the Lebanese in Kuwait who, according to this research sample, are integrated into Kuwaiti society, and to see if a transnational community was formed among and between other Lebanese in Kuwait. The chapter proceeds to explore temporal aspects of migration to discover how long migrants plan on staying in Kuwait as well as presenting data on returned migrants and the reason for their return to Lebanon. Finally, it explores remittances, which form a key feature of transnationalism.Less

High-Skilled Migration: Introduction and Synopsis

Mathias Czaika (ed.)

in High-Skilled Migration: Drivers and Policies

Over the past decades an increasing number of countries have developed a growing interest in attracting and retaining skilled and highly skilled migrant workers. This chapter provides an introduction ... More

Over the past decades an increasing number of countries have developed a growing interest in attracting and retaining skilled and highly skilled migrant workers. This chapter provides an introduction into the nature and dynamics of the global skill market and the role of states and state policies in international migration processes of highly skilled workers. This introduction also outlines the subsequent chapters of this volume which address questions regarding (i) the nature and scope of high-skilled migration and ‘immigration policy packages’ states implement to attract and select high-skilled migrants; (ii) the rationales and determinants of high-skilled migration policies evolving over time and space; (iii) the extent to which policies and other drivers affect high-skilled migration processes in general, and international migration of students, scientists, and health professionals in particular.Less

High-Skilled Migration in Times of Global Economic Crisis

Christopher Parsons

Mathias Czaika (ed.)

in High-Skilled Migration: Drivers and Policies

This chapter uses two pioneering databases to analyse the implications of the global economic crisis on international migration. The first details inflows of migrant workers of 185 nationalities to ... More

This chapter uses two pioneering databases to analyse the implications of the global economic crisis on international migration. The first details inflows of migrant workers of 185 nationalities to ten OECD destinations, disaggregated by skill level between 2000 and 2012. The second comprises immigration policies implemented by nineteen OECD countries between 2000 and 2012. It distinguishes between six skill-selective admission policies, six post-entry policy instruments, and three bilateral agreements. The preliminary analysis is presented against the backdrop of the crisis, which negatively affected annual inflows of highly and other skilled migrants between 2007 and 2009, although these resumed an upward trend thereafter. The starkest trends in policy terms include: the diffusion of student jobseeker visas, the relative stability in the prevalence of skill-selective policies in the wake of the crisis, a greater use of financial incentives to attract high-skilled workers, and increased employer transferability for migrants at destination.Less

Understanding Migration and Income Inequality

Assaf Razin

in Israel and the World Economy: The Power of Globalization

Because the Soviet-Jews exodus was not foreseen ahead of time, Israel’s migration experience is amenable to the natural-experiment methodology. Disposable-income inequality in Israel, was roughly ... More

Because the Soviet-Jews exodus was not foreseen ahead of time, Israel’s migration experience is amenable to the natural-experiment methodology. Disposable-income inequality in Israel, was roughly stable until the beginning of the 1990s, rose sharply following the immigration wave, even though no such change occurs with respect to the market-generated inequality. The chapter develops a stylized general equilibrium model with free migration, where wages are endogenous and redistribution policy is determined by (endogenously determined) majority voting. It address the issue of how migration can reshape the political balance of power, especially between skilled and unskilled and between native-born and migrants, and consequently to political-economic equilibrium redistribution policy of the welfare state.Less

Attracting and Retaining International Students as Skilled Migrants

Lesleyanne Hawthorne

in High-Skilled Migration: Drivers and Policies

OECD countries compete to attract and retain international students as skilled migrants. By definition former international students are of prime workforce age, face no regulatory barriers, and have ... More

OECD countries compete to attract and retain international students as skilled migrants. By definition former international students are of prime workforce age, face no regulatory barriers, and have self-funded to meet domestic employer demand. Within the global ‘race for talent’ they have emerged as a priority human capital resource. This chapter examines the study-migration pathways that have evolved in the past decade within skilled migration policy frameworks. Three case studies are provided, assessing select challenges in the context of national debate. The first examines the UK’s attempt to reduce net migration flows and the impact of this on student migration. The second explores the retention of international doctoral students in the US amid concerns for labour market substitution rather than complementarity. The third defines the extent to which Australian employers value former international students compared to domestic graduates, including the impact of demand and demographic variables on early employment outcomes.Less

High-Skilled Migration and the Limits of Migration Policies

Ronald Skeldon

in High-Skilled Migration: Drivers and Policies

After a consideration of who the skilled are, this chapter pursues four main themes. First, direct policies to attract skilled migrants are secondary to indirect policies designed to establish the ... More

After a consideration of who the skilled are, this chapter pursues four main themes. First, direct policies to attract skilled migrants are secondary to indirect policies designed to establish the industries and services that will lead to the employment of the skilled. Second, direct policies to attract the skilled need to be integrated into wider policies that see the immigration of the less skilled also to be important. Third, attempts to retain the skilled need to be framed in the context of a high turnover of the skilled, a turnover facilitated by the nature of the channels through which they move. Fourth, a consideration of the global production of the skilled through education and training and how that impacts on the flows. These four themes are closely interrelated and provide a basis for a broader interpretation of skilled migration policy.Less

Using an intersectional lifecourse approach to understand the migration of the highly skilled

Melissa Kelly

in Researching the lifecourse: Critical reflections from the social sciences

This chapter combines an intersectional approach with a lifecourse perspective in order to understand the migration of the highly skilled. An intersectional lifecourse approach contextualizes ... More

This chapter combines an intersectional approach with a lifecourse perspective in order to understand the migration of the highly skilled. An intersectional lifecourse approach contextualizes migration processes, considers the role of both structure and agency, and the macro and micro factors underlying peoples’ moves. These theoretical ambitions are best furthered, the chapter argues, in conjunction with a methodology that draws on multiple types of data sources. In order to illustrate how such a project might be carried out, the chapter draws on a study conducted with people of Iranian origin who first moved to Sweden, and then moved again to London or Toronto. Findings suggest that for these highly mobile people, deciding to make multiple migrations was based on a variety of factors. While employment opportunities were an important aspect of the decision making process so too, were a number of non-economic factors. Overall, the chapter critically identifies, evaluates and aims to address some of the challenges that often arise in migration research.Less

Selecting By Merit: The Brave New World of Stratified Mobility

Ayelet Shachar

in Migration in Political Theory: The Ethics of Movement and Membership

The bulk of academic debate has focused on the increasingly restrictive approach to ordinary immigration and naturalization applicants. This chapter argues that equally important lessons about the ... More

The bulk of academic debate has focused on the increasingly restrictive approach to ordinary immigration and naturalization applicants. This chapter argues that equally important lessons about the current state of citizenship can be learned by critically exploring who is treated as “wanted and welcome.” The discussion focuses on the highly skilled, the new breed of desired migrants. It highlights the increasingly common practice of governments “picking winners” through targeted and strategic grants of citizenship for those with extraordinary talent, while at the same time holding other categories of immigration applicants to ever-stricter admission and permission-to-stay requirements. After identifying and formulating these striking developments, the chapter addresses the core ethical and legal challenges they raise. The discussion concludes by exploring whether and how the rise of skills-based selective migration regimes may impact broader debates about mobility and (selective) openness, migration, and global justice.Less

Highly Skilled and Marriage Migrants in Arizona

Claudia Sadowski-Smith

in New Immigrant Whiteness: Race, Neoliberalism, and Post-Soviet Migration to the United States

This chapter discusses the results of my interviews with post-USSR immigrants in Phoenix, Arizona, which place male-dominated highly skilled and female-dominated marriage migration in the context of ... More

This chapter discusses the results of my interviews with post-USSR immigrants in Phoenix, Arizona, which place male-dominated highly skilled and female-dominated marriage migration in the context of scholarship on adaptation and return migration. The two migratory forms have been spurred by the interests of US men in creating monoracial families and by the immense growth in the number of contingent academic positions at US institutions of higher learning. Their differential legal status upon arrival provides post-Soviet marriage and highly skilled migrants with divergent access to economic, social, and cultural forms of US citizenship, community building, and opportunities for return. Highly skilled migrants create middle-class lives, appear less interested in participating in a coethnic community, and maintain limited physical transnational connections, while marriage migrants face downward mobility and dependency, experience greater difficulty connecting to other post-Soviet migrants, and more often consider returning. While they are immediately provided with membership in their husbands’ middle-class lives, the globalized form of US whiteness that marriage migrants are assigned even before they leave their countries of origin creates heightened expectations of their complete assimilation to a middle-class whiteness at the cost of their and often their children’s bicultural and transnational identities. Less

Admission, Exclusion and Beyond: Which Immigration Policies Are Just?

Peter W. Higgins

in Immigration Justice

Immigration Justice concludes with concrete recommendations for immigration policymaking based in the Priority of Disadvantage Principle (PDP). The first major section of this chapter morally ... More

Immigration Justice concludes with concrete recommendations for immigration policymaking based in the Priority of Disadvantage Principle (PDP). The first major section of this chapter morally evaluates common grounds on which states exclude prospective migrants (including poverty, cultural dissimilarity, national origin, social group membership, medical condition, criminal history, and national security), as well as the justice of annual quotas, in terms of the PDP. The chapter assesses, in the second major section, two grounds on which states accord priority in admission to some migrants (skilledness and family relationships) in terms of their consequences for unjustly disadvantaged social groups worldwide. The final section of this chapter is attuned to policies directly dealing with migration, but goes beyond narrow questions of admission and exclusion. These include emigration compensation programs, emigration restrictions, and emigrant taxation. A central contention of this chapter is that what immigration policies are just (by the PDP) for each country varies in accordance with morally salient empirical differences between distinct national contexts, including the state’s economic and political position in the international order, and what social groups the state’s policies are likely to affect most, and how.Less

Shifts in Selective Migration Policy Models: A Comparison of Australia, Canada, and the US

Rey Koslowski

in High-Skilled Migration: Drivers and Policies

Selective migration policies can be grouped into three ideal-typical models: the Canadian ‘human capital’ model based on state selection of permanent immigrants using a points system; the Australian ... More

Selective migration policies can be grouped into three ideal-typical models: the Canadian ‘human capital’ model based on state selection of permanent immigrants using a points system; the Australian ‘neo-corporatist’ model based on state selection using a points system with extensive business and labour participation; and the market-oriented, demand-driven model based primarily on employer selection of migrants, as practised by the US. This chapter compares the selective migration polices of the three countries in terms of policy outcomes measured by varying metrics, examines policy implementation that diverges from the models, and explores a trend in all three countries towards recruiting foreign students to become immigrants. It finds that Canadian and Australian practices are shifting towards the US demand-driven model as employers rather than government officials are selecting increasing percentages of permanent immigrants from pools of temporary foreign workers and foreign students already in Canada and Australia rather than from abroad.Less

The Innovation Activities of Multinational Enterprises and the Demand for Skilled-Worker, Nonimmigrant Visas

Stephen Ross Yeaple

in High-Skilled Migration to the United States and Its Economic Consequences

Cutting edge R&D requires highly differentiated skilled labor. The H-1B and L-1 visa programs exist in part to allow U.S. firms access to such skilled foreign labor but have been accused of hurting ... More

Cutting edge R&D requires highly differentiated skilled labor. The H-1B and L-1 visa programs exist in part to allow U.S. firms access to such skilled foreign labor but have been accused of hurting U.S. workers. This chapter provides an analysis of the role of these programs in encouraging U.S. R&D and in affecting opportunities for skilled U.S. citizens. We develop a model in which firms source differentiated labor globally. In their sourcing, multinational firms have an advantage relative to non-multinationals because they can procure foreign talent at low cost in the countries in which they own affiliates. This advantage results in higher R&D intensity of firms with greater multinational reach. We also show that if worker talent is sufficiently differentiated across countries, these programs increase the demand for U.S. skilled labor. Turning to firm-level data on visa usage, we show empirically that U.S. multinationals use skilled worker visas more intensively than non-multinationals and that the country pattern of this sourcing is highly correlated with the location of U.S. foreign affiliates abroad. Our results suggest that multinationals have an advantage relative to non-multinationals in sourcing foreign talent and that this contributes to their advantage in developing new technologies.Less

Resettlement Assistance and “A New Standard of Living”

Danielle Battisti

in Whom We Shall Welcome: Italian Americans and Immigration Reform, 1945-1965

The chapter chronicles how Italian American organizations provided employment, housing, and resettlement assistance to tens of thousands of Italian immigrants, especially refugees, after they arrived ... More

The chapter chronicles how Italian American organizations provided employment, housing, and resettlement assistance to tens of thousands of Italian immigrants, especially refugees, after they arrived in the U.S. It argues that in assisting immigrants and helping newcomers project a public image of success, Italian American organizations were attempting to demonstrate the desirability of Italian immigrants, their ability to contribute to American economic growth, their ability to assimilate to American lifestyles, and their fitness for citizenship in a democratic society. Resettlement efforts also reveal conservative aspects of white ethnic activism. In focusing on resettlement initiatives, Italian American immigration reformers largely accepted the premise that the success of recently arrived Italian immigrants did not just reflect individual achievements. Instead, the ability of the national or ethnic group as a whole to immigrate, adjust, and thrive as Americans was at stake. In working to ensure that new immigrants were considered “desirable” or “fit” by other Americans, Italian Americans were not challenging long-standing cultural assumptions about the role of race and ethnicity in American society. They were only claiming that Italian ethnics be included within the boundaries of the privileged white, middle-class cultural mainstream.Less