VOLUME 1, 1992

Issue No. 3/4 - International Manpower Flows and Foreign Investment in Asia

Stahl, Charles W. and Reginald T. Appleyard
"International Manpower Flows in Asia: An Overview." Vol. 1 (3/4), p. 417-476, 1992.
Significant differentials in demographic and economic variables shape the nature, extent and direction of economic migration within the diverse Asian region. The Middle East and North Africa have been prime destinations for temporary labor from Asia. However, intra-Asian migration is increasing, characterized by movement of labor from countries at earlier stages of demographic and economic transition to the rapidly growing economies of the region. This article presents a country-by-country overview of historical, economic and sociodemographic variables; statistical data and assessments of the nature and impact of migration; and future trends. Regions covered include: 1)South Asia and the Indian Ocean Islands, 2)Southeast Asia, 3)Northeast Asia.

Nayagam, James
"Migrant Labor Absorption in Malaysia." Vol. 1 (3/4), p. 477-494, 1992.
Malaysia's labor shortages can be attributed to rapid industrialization; higher educational attainment leading to external and internal migration and labor shortages; and poor wages and working conditions in plantations, the construction industry and the service sector. Such shortages have been met largely through the use of illegal migrant workers from Indonesia, South Thailand and the southern Philippines. Implementation of the government's plan for economic restructuring, 1971-1990, was assisted by such workers; however, the government has also recognized the socioeconomic problems engendered by illegal migration. Policies to facilitate temporary labor migration in key sectors are being developed.

Fong, Pang Eng
"Absorbing Temporary Foreign Workers: The Experience of Singapore." Vol. 1 (3/4), p. 495-509, 1992.
Singapore has emerged as one of the major importers of temporary workers in East Asia, particularly from Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, and has developed policies to maximize the benefits of foreign labor while minimizing its social and economic costs. Government policies restrict unskilled foreign workers to approved sectors and prohibit settlement in Singapore. Illegal workers are subject to imprisonment and the controversial punishment of mandatory caning. On the other hand, policies toward highly qualified and professional workers are exceptionally liberal, with new rules designed to attract skilled people from Hong Kong. As regional labor flows grow, Singapore's dependence on skilled and unskilled foreign labor will go beyond the primacy of a domestic focus and lead to an increased emphasis on managing labor problems through skillful diplomacy and migrant protection.

Rivera, Mauricio M.

"Social Security Protection of Migrant Workers." Vol. 1 (3/4), p. 511-528, 1992.
Issues related to social security protection are discussed from the point of view of the sending country as well as the receiving country. Common problems include equality of treatment between nationals and non-nationals, inadequacy of coverage, and the status of workers with multiple foreign employment. The social security programs of 36 Asia-Pacific countries are compared and recommendations made to increase the protection available to migrant workers in the region. Ratification of ILO conventions and the establishment of bilateral/multilateral agreements are stressed.

Sekiguchi, Sueo
"Foreign Investments in Asia in the 1990s: Trends, Problems and Implications for Manpower Movements." Vol. 1 (3/4), p. 529-542, 1992.
The diversity and rapidity of change in direct foreign investment (DFI) are described for flows among North America, Western Europe, Japan, ASEAN, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Korea and Russia. The U.S. share of DFI in Pacific Rim countries has declined, while that of Japan and Western Europe has increased. The NIEs have emerged as new investors in the region. The decline in U.S. DFI is likely to be compensated by Asian intra-regional flows initiated by Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong. On one hand, international capital flows can serve as a substitute for international labor flows; on the other, DFI can also give rise to bidirectional flows of manpower ranging from unskilled to professional levels.

Ong, Paul M., Lucie Cheng, and Leslie Evans
"Migration of Highly Educated Asians and Global Dynamics." Vol. 1 (3/4), p. 543-567, 1992.
The migration of Asians trained in technical fields is the most important component of the total global migration of scientific, technical and professional workers from developing to developed countries (primarily Australia, Canada and the United States). Though this phenomenon shares common characteristics with the larger international migration of all labor, it is unique in that migration from Asia to the industrialized countries favors the highly educated, and the debate over brain drain remains complex and inconclusive. The far-reaching effects of the movement of Asian high level manpower (HLM) are discussed in light of: 1)the global articulation of higher education; 2)the link to unequal development on a global scale; and 3)the contribution to economic development of the reverse flow of HLM to less developed countries.

Kanjanapan, Wilawan
"White-collar Foreign Workers in Taiwan." Vol. 1 (3/4), p. 569-583, 1992.
This paper discusses capital-assisted and non-capital-assisted migration to Taiwan. Despite a yearly average of US$915 million in direct foreign investment (DFI) in Taiwan in the 1980s, the number of professional transient migrants in Taiwan is not large, totalling only 960 persons in 1988. As sources of both DFI and capital-assisted migration, Japan ranked highest, followed by the United States and Europe. Foreign professionals sent by transnational corporations are likely to be found in capital and technology intensive industries, as well as trade and the services. Among non-capital-assisted migrants, American English teachers are highlighted with results of a case study on their characteristics, work experience and adjustment.

Furuya, Kenichi
"High Level Manpower Movement and Japan's Foreign Aid." Vol. 1 (3/4), p. 585-599, 1992.
High-level manpower migration associated with Japan's foreign aid program as well as private overseas investments confirms Japan's steady progress towards internationalization. Although the human resources component of Japan's international aid is disproportionately small because of its shorter history in development aid and scarcity of experts, Japan's ODA relative to GNP is high. Japan's technical assistance programs to Asian countries are summarized. Movements of high-level manpower accompanying direct foreign investments by private enterprise are also reviewed. Proposals for increased human resources development include education and training of foreigners in Japan as well as the training of Japanese aid experts and the development of networks for information exchange.

Wu, Chung-tong and Christine Inglis
"Illegal Immigration to Hong Kong." Vol. 1 (3/4), p. 601-621, 1992.
Illegal migration from China is contrasted to that from Vietnam to highlight Hong Kong's unique place in such flows. Political upheavals in China, economic recessions and labor shortage in Hong Kong have caused waves of legal and illegal Chinese migration into Hong Kong which have been effectively contained through the vigilance of border patrols, police checks for identity cards, fines on employers of illegals, and cooperation from China. The increased numbers of Vietnamese boat people from 1988 led to a hardening in government and public attitudes, resulting in the reclassification of refugees as illegal migrants. The key difference in Hong Kong's effectiveness at stemming these two illegal migrant streams has been bilateral cooperation, which has been achieved with China but lacking in the case of Vietnam.

Nagayama, Toshikazu
"Clandestine Migrant Workers in Japan." Vol. 1 (3/4), p. 623-636, 1992.
Illegal migration in Japan is a recent phenomenon, resulting from restrictive labor import policies and shortages accompanying economic restructuring. Labor policies, regulations, types of immigration violations, and the role of the recruitment industry are described. Most of the estimated 200,000 illegal workers are employed in small and medium sized enterprises, especially construction and manufacturing, which pay them wages well below the normal rate. A key issue is the infringement of human rights of these illegal workers, who lack the protection of labor laws and the social security system.

Tsay, Ching-lung
"Clandestine Labor Migration to Taiwan." Vol. 1 (3/4), p. 637-655, 1992.
Illegal migration to Taiwan is a recent phenomenon but with a rapid rate of increase. Most illegal foreign workers enter on visitor's visas and overstay. This paper's detailed analysis of official data reveals that Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand are the major sources, providing a stock of mostly male workers numbering around 40,000. Sociodemographic and attitudinal changes among Taiwanese workers coupled with labor shortages in low-skilled jobs are pressuring the Taiwanese government to formulate plans for a systematic importation of foreign labor.

Kim, Won Bae
"Potential Movements of Capital and Labor in Northeast Asia." Vol. 1 (3/4), p. 657-681, 1992.
This paper provides background information for potential movements of capital and labor within Northeast Asia. First, it reviews recent geopolitical changes in Northeast Asia and the current state of capital and labor movements between the countries of Northeast Asia along the broad theme of regional cooperation. Second, the paper assesses potential movements of capital and labor in the near future based on planned or anticipated development projects in the region. Finally, political and social barriers to movements of capital and labor and some measures to facilitate such factor movements are discussed.

Kaosa-ard, Mingsarn Santikarn
"Hiring and Localization Policies of Transnational Corporations in Thailand." Vol. 1 (3/4), p. 683-699, 1992.
This article assesses the effectiveness of policies adopted by transnational corporations (TNCs) concerning the hiring of local staff and localization of top management positions in Thailand. A boom in direct foreign investment in Thailand since the mid-1980s has created a strong demand for engineering and technical staff. In view of the shortage of local supply, skill formation and training programs for local employees at all levels are emphasized. Differences in policy among Japanese, American and European TNCs are noted, with localization noticeably less likely among Japanese TNCs.