VOLUME 5, 1996

Issue No. 2-3, The Dynamics of Labor Migration in Asia

Martin,Philip, Andrew Mason, and Toshikazu Nagayama, Nihon University

"Introduction," Vol. 5, No. 2-3, Pp.163-173, 1996

Miller, Mark J. and Philip L. Martin

"Prospects for Cooperative Management of International Migration in the 21st Century,"Vol. 5, No. 2-3, Pp.175-199, 1996

This essay attempts, first, to identify patterns and trends from an overview of the modern history of international migration. It examines, then, aspects of human agency and macro-systemic factors to sift for clues as to the future role of international migration and prospects for cooperation management of it. Finally, specific features of the regional migration system in Asia are identified, which will contribute to shape the future course of international migration.

Philip, Martin

"Labor Contractors: A Conceptual Overview," Vol 5, No. 2-3, Pp.201-218, 1996

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of labor brokering or contracting that helps to explain why employers turn to foreign workers to fill certain vacant jobs, and how the presence of foreign workers brought to a country by labor contractors can affect the size and duration of migration flows. The major conclusion is that East Asian policies that aim to avoid the settlement of unskilled foreign workers also make labor brokering a prominent feature of labor migration and migrant labor markets in the region.

Okunishi, Yoshio

"Labor Contracting inInternational Migration: The Japanese Case and Implications for Asia," Vol. 5, No. 2-3, Pp.219-240, 1996

Labor contracting in Japan is under relatively strict regulations which comply with some key ILO conventions. However, the applicability to labor contracting from/to overseas is limited. Many foreign workers coming to Japan use foreign or Japanese intermediaries whose activities are illegal. But the specifics differ appreciably according to the types of migrants. The vulnerability of migrants seems to be affected by several factors such as: the income disparity between their home country and the destination country, the costs of migrating, their work status, and the costs of job search and the extent of voluntary labor turnover in the destination country. In this regard, conditions in Asia may make for vulnerable migrants and profitable brokers.

Nagayama, Toshikazu

"Foreign Workers Recruiting Policies in Japan," Vol. 5, No. 2-3, Pp. 241-264, 1996

This article presents the basic characteristics of the foreign workers recruiting policy in Japan, which consists on barring entry to unskilled workers, and confronts it with the actual tolerance for a large number of illegal unskilled workers. After a historical overview of the reasons for the current policy, the article examines elements which reveal that a seclusionist policy is based on mistaken assumptions and reviews policy options to deal with the issue of illegal migration.

Kang, Su Dol

"Typology and Conditions of Migrant Workers in South Korea," Vol. 5, No. 2-3, Pp. 265-279, 1996

After presenting the three major types of migrant workers currently in South Korea — professional employees, technical trainees and illegal workers — this article examines the role of contractors and other middlemen to expose the possibility for 'intermediary exploitation.' The results of such exploitation are illustrated in the living and working conditions of foreign workers.

Lee, Joseph S. and Su-Wan Wang

"Recruiting and Managing of Foreign Workers in Taiwan," Vol. 5, No. 2-3, Pp. 281-301, 1996

The first part of this article reviews the reasons for a labor migration policy in Taiwan and the characteristics of foreign workers currently employed in the country. The second part examines the procedures and practices for recruiting and managing labor migrants and explores the reasons for the biggest issue in the Taiwanese labor migration policy: the runaway foreign workers. Admitting that illegal migration cannot be controlled, the paper recommends to limit employment of migrants only where it is absolutely necessary.

Kim, Won Bae

"Economic Interdependence and Migration Dynamics in Asia," Vol. 5, No. 2-3, Pp.303-317, 1996

This paper searches first for alternative explanations about migration dynamics and, in particular, the migration transition in Asian countries. It raises the question whether increasing economic interdependence will increase labor mobility and attempts to explain the association between them with a simple model. Countries in the region are divided in three groups with regard to international labor migration: transitional, non-transitional exporters, and non-transitional importers. Increasing economic integration will lead to migration transition for many Asian countries, but with uncertainties concerning in particular China and South Asia.

Lim, Lin Lean

"The Migration Transition in Malaysia," Vol. 5, No. 2-3, Pp. 319-337, 1996

Exploring the unique experience of migration transition in Malaysia, this paper identifies the turning points in relation to the level and nature of economic and labor market developments in Malaysia. Examining the development dynamics that mark the passage from exporting labor to depending on foreign labor, the paper concludes that such dynamics are influenced not only by economic but also sociocultural, demographic and policy factors. Several lessons from the Malaysian experience are drawn at the end to be utilized by other countries that still have to reach the turning points of the migration transition.

Amjad, Rashid

"Philippines and Indonesia: On the Way to a Migration Transition," Vol. 5, No. 2-3, Pp. 339-366, 1996

This paper, in a comparative analysis of the Philippines and Indonesia, examines first under what conditions can migration favorably contribute to the process of economic development and then to what extent can economic growth impact upon reducing emigration pressures in these labor surplus economies. The paper also argues that there is still considerable scope for putting in place and agreed set of rules and policies to ensure better protection for the more vulnerable migrants.

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