VOLUME 3, 1994

Issue No. 2/3 - Asia-Pacific Migration to Australia

Lim, Lin Lean and Manolo Abella
"The Movement of People in Asia: Internal, Intra-regional, and International Migration." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 209-250, 1994.
The comprehensive overview of Asian-Pacific migration summarizes early population movements during the colonial period and describes the major types of contemporary Asian population movements: (1) environmental refugees, (2) political refugees, (3) internal population movements, (4) contract labor migration, (5) migration of permanent settlers, (6) business related movements and tourism. Projections of net international migration are given. Population growth, employment absorption and emigration pressures are likely to contribute to a large mobility potential for Asia, with significant implications for Australia.

Low, Linda
"Migration and Singapore: Implications for the Asia Pacific." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 251-263, 1994.
A crude hypothesis is that the wider the spatial inequalities in wages and incomes, accompanied by trade, capital and technology flows and globalization, the more significant is migration. The challenge in the Asia Pacific region is to unravel and synthesize the sociopolitical, legal and institutional aspects with the help of better theoretical and empirical inputs. This case study of Singapore shows that it has managed to balance sociopolitical sensitivities with economic and even demographic objectives. However, the model is not easy to replicate as the control mechanisms combine levies and quotas for foreign workers and strictly meritocratic criteria for emigrants. The policy implications and recommendations include more research and cooperation to strengthen the statistics and information and more government-to- government effort to regulate and expedite migration.

Ito, Shoichi and Yasushi Iguchi
"Japanese Direct Investment and Its Impact on Migration in the ASEAN 4." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 265-294, 1994.
Although the manufacturing sector's share of employment is still small in ASEAN-4 countries, the development of manufacturing, especially labor-intensive industries, will be indispensable for absorbing part of the increase in labor force. In these countries, Japanese direct investment (JDI) has been more highly concentrated in the manufacturing sector than JDI in other regions. The Japanese "New Asian Industrial Development (AID) Plan" is a comprehensive economic cooperation package, which supports the introduction of JDI and the promotion of exports in ASEAN-4 countries. JDI and AID may, in turn, help alleviate the domestic labor market situation and reduce the incentive for workers of ASEAN-4 countries to migrate to work overseas.

Choo, Christine
"The Impact of Asian-Aboriginal Australian Contacts in Northern Australia." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 295-310, 1994.
The long history of Asian contact with Australian Aborigines began with the early links with seafarers, Makassan trepang gatherers and even Chinese contact, which occurred in northern Australia. Later contact through the pearling industry in the Northern Territory and Kimberley, Western Australia, involved Filipinos (Manilamen), Malays, Indonesians, Chinese and Japanese. Europeans on the coastal areas of northern Australia depended on the work of indentured Asians and local Aborigines for the development and success of these industries. The birth of the Australian Federation also marked the beginning of the "White Australia Policy" designed to keep non-Europeans from settling in Australia. The presence of Asians in the north had a significant impact on state legislation controlling Aborigines in Western Australia in the first half of the 20th century, with implications to the present. Oral and archival evidence bears testimony to the brutality with which the legislation was pursued and its impact on the lives of Aboriginal people.

Pookong, Kee, Jing Shu, Trevor Dang, and Siew-Ean Khoo
"People Movements between Australia and Asian-Pacific Nations: Trends, Issues and Prospects." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 311-337, 1994.
Asia and the Pacific, excluding New Zealand, now provide over half of Australia's total immigrant intake. The Asian countries also account for more than half of tourists to Australia and the large majority of fee-paying overseas students enrolled in its tertiary and secondary education institutions. This article examines the growth and diversification of these permanent, long and short-term movements of people from Asia and the Pacific and the growth in immigrant and local-born Australians departing Australia to live and work in Asia. The occasional controversies surrounding the growth of Asian arrivals and Australia's current push to integrate with the booming Asian economies are examined. The article concludes with a general discussion of the economic, social, cultural, and international consequences of the two-way movements of people between Australia and its Asian and Pacific neighbors.

Pookong, Kee, Siew-Ean Khoo, Trevor Dang and Jing Shu
"Asian Immigrant Settlement and Adjustment in Australia." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 339-372, 1994.
Asians have been the fastest growing overseas-born population in Australia, more than doubling from 1981 to 1991. Based on the 1991 Census, this article broadly examines economic and social characteristics of the Asian-born population in Australia. Economic factors such as labor force participation, unemployment, occupation, income and housing reveal a great diversity in the settlement experience of the Asian-born, attributable to the diversity of backgrounds. The speed and success of adjustment by refugees and migrants from business, skill and family migrant streams are assisted by such social factors as English language proficiency.

Siu-lun, Wong
"Roaming Yuppies: Hong Kong Migration to Australia." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 373-392, 1994.
Hong Kong has been the top source area for Asian migration to Australia in recent years. The majority of the Hong Kong migrants are young, educated professionals. Using survey data conducted in Hong Kong on emigration tendencies, this article analyzes why they are leaving Hong Kong, what attracts them to Australia, and what impact this influx has on Australian society. It is speculated that this movement may create an enduring change in the identity of emigrant Hong Kongers and have a wider significance in the contradictory currents of geopolitics and geoeconomics which are simultaneously encouraging and resisting migration.

Awasthi, S.P. and Ashoka Chandra
"Migration from India to Australia." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 393-409, 1994.
The article examines the contemporary trends and future prospects of migration from India to Australia. The focus is on Indian Settlers and Temporary Entrants admitted to Australia for employment and Indian students admitted to Australia for higher studies. The volume of emigration for permanent residence during the early 1990s had made India one of the leading source countries of migration to Australia. A majority of Indians admitted as Settlers every year join the labor force. Recent data indicate that, among Indian Settlers, there is a preponderance of unsponsored Independent Skilled Migrants. Given the anticipated growth in the number of Indian students, the coming years are likely to witness a spurt in Skilled Temporary Workers from India.

Teng, Yap Mui
"Brain Drain or Links to the World: Views on Emigrants from Singapore." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 411-429, 1994.
The changes in Singapore's recent policies toward emigration correspond with the growing importance given to Singaporean overseas business ventures. Moving from viewing emigration as brain drain and the decision to migrate as an act of disloyalty to the nation, recent statements by government officials have begun to identify the overseas community as a valuable link to the world economy. "Globalization" and more recently "regionalization" are the popular terms which indicate Singapore's current economic strategy of shifting from a focus on high technology, high value-added industries to a program of building an external economy through overseas expansion and the promotion of offshore activities. The Singapore example suggests that, in an increasingly borderless world, the relationship between emigration, citizenship and national loyalty will require reconsideration.

Rallu, Jean Louis
"Australia and Pacific Islander Migration." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 431-443, 1994.
The net migration gains of Pacific Islands-born to Australia increased steeply from 1986, mostly due to migration from Fiji in 1987-1988 after the coups. This is reflected in the differing migration trends and characteristics of the Fiji-born compared to other Islander migrants. Australia also receives secondary migrants from New Zealand, facilitated by the free movement of residents allowed by the Trans-Tasman Agreement. Due to poor job opportunities in the Islands and economic restructuring in the countries of the Pacific rim, Island states seem to have adopted a policy of increased brain drain to ensure remittances flows. This could also be related to changing fertility rates in the Islands in the 1980s.

Hua, Miao Jian
"International Migration in China: A Survey of Emigrants from Shanghai." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 445-463, 1994.
Migration trends have been largely unexamined in China, due to restrictive government policies and lack of data. This article presents the results of two surveys on emigrants from Shanghai, the largest source of emigrants and the only province with official migration records since 1958. Using information from the 1990 census, passport applications, and a survey of emigrant families in one city ward, the study concludes that migration policies, structural economic and social factors, and individual characteristics and needs shape migration patterns in Shanghai.

Samuel, T. John
"Asian and Pacific Migration: The Canadian Experience." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 465-495, 1994.
On a per capita basis, Canada currently accepts more immigrants than any other country in the world. This article examines the characteristics of landed immigrants (permanent settlers) from Asia and explores their settlement, adaptation, and integration experience. Asian immigration has grown by leaps and bounds since the universalization of Canadian immigration policy. The skills content, capital inflow, and entrepreneurial impacts of Asian immigration have been significant. Generally speaking, Asian immigrants have adapted and integrated well. Yet access to Canadian territory as permanent residents, or access to Canadian citizenship, does not necessarily mean access to equal opportunity in the economy and society, though to a certain extent, Canada may have succeeded more than Australia.

Nakanishi, Don T.
"Transforming Asian Pacific America: The Challenges of Growth and Diversity." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 497-509, 1994.
The concept of Asian Pacific panethnicity is examined in the light of the growing numbers and diversity of the population in the 1990s. The term "Asian American" originated in the civil rights period of the 1960s to help unify Asian groups in the common struggle against negative stereotypes and discrimination. Revised immigration laws, new immigrant groups and continued hostility have brought new challenges, and it is argued that Asian Pacific Americans as a group can provide important leadership for the U.S.'s transformation to a more truly multicultural society.

Martin, Philip L.
"Development, Employment and Migration." Vol. 3 (2/3), p. 511-520, 1994.

A report on the seminar of the OECD's Development Center to discuss the comparison between successful and failed cases of economic development in Asia.