Showing papers in "Sojourn in 1999"

Ritual Passage and the Reconstruction of Selfhood in International Labour Migration

Abstract: This paper reasserts the place of human agency amid the structural forces that seem to overdetermine international labour migration. To explore the meanings attached by migrants to overseas employment, the paper casts the worker's experience as a type of ritual, a secular pilgrimage knowingly embarked upon by the individual in close dialectical relationship with the social world. Various stages of double liminality are endured by the migrant worker through the balm of commodities and the consumption of modernity, with the journey of achievement eventuating in a new sense of self. Empirical materials are drawn primarily from studies of Filipina and Filipino workers.

The Malaysian state's response to migration.

Abstract: This paper aims to provide a profile of migration trends in Malaysia since 1970 and to analyze public policy on migration in the context of economic growth and the labor market. The discussion centers on the impact of the Asian financial crisis. There is long history of immigration to Malaysia. The development strategy of the 1970s and 1980s was to create more jobs and restructure employment to meet equity goals. Labor shortages on plantations and construction booms led to a more organized sustained effort to import labor. Recession in the mid-1980s led to unemployment but many Malaysians were unwilling to work on plantations in construction or in low paying jobs. Economic growth during 1987-96 was very high and labor shortages spread to service and manufacturing sectors. Migration policy has shifted over the decades. Both the market and the governments promotion of export-based industrialization require access to low cost migrant labor. Public and official recognition of the large number of migrants was not made until 1995. The financial crisis in 1998 led to enforcement of a new migration policy on illegal migrants and greater outflow of migrants. The economic crisis has increased job and income inequities in the region; this encourages continued migration. It is argued that it would be best for Malaysia to maximize short-term gains while minimizing long-term economic social and political costs.

Philippine migration policy: dilemmas of a crisis.

Abstract: Philippine migration policy is traced from the early 1970s to the present. The main migration trends in the 1990s are described. An assessment is made of the efficacy and appropriateness of present migration policy in light of the economic crisis. A regional approach to migration policy is necessary in order to encourage placing migration as a greater priority on national agendas and in bilateral agreements. In the Philippines migrants are considered better paid workers which diminishes their importance as a legislative or program priority. Santo Tomas (1998) conducted an empirical assessment of migration policies in the Philippines but refinement is needed. Although migration is a transnational experience there is little dialogue and cooperation among countries. Philippine migration policy defines its role as an information resource for migrants. Policy shifted from labor export to migrant management in the public and private sectors. Predeparture information program studies are recommending a multi-stage process that would involve all appropriate parties. There is talk of including migration information in the education curriculum. There are a variety of agendas competing interests and information resources between migration networks and officiating agencies. The Asian financial crisis may have a mild impact but there are still issues of reintegration protection and employment conditions

A Nation in Distress: Human Rights, Authoritarianism, and Asian Values in Malaysia

Abstract: This paper discusses the relevance of the "Asian values" debate for Malaysia. It argues that "Asian values" is not a useful notion for understanding Malaysia's attempts to modernize itself. In fact, this debate acts as a distraction and justifies the government's campaign to diminish human rights as well as cultural emancipation. "Asian values" often act as an excuse for authoritarianism and other abuses of government. Instead, we should examine why Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries justify oppressive practices using the excuse of "Asian values". Unless we find better answers, both the state and civil society in Malaysia will be seriously destabilized, thus risking the genuine economic achievements of the past decade.

The Singapore state's response to migration.

Abstract: Migration trends in Singapore are traced since 1819. Immigration has been encouraged to advance economic development. Local and international factors fuel migration to Singapore. Singapore depends upon foreign labor. Population growth has been mainly due to migration from China India Malaysia and countries surrounding Singapore. Independence in 1965 led to policies aimed at controlling high population growth. Policies became pronatalist after 1987. Foreigners in 1998 were over 18% of the total population which was six times the number in 1970. About 2000 Singaporeans per year emigrated during the 1990s. Singapore is encouraging overseas industrial development. In 1997 the Prime Minister called for recruitment of foreign talent in order to meet the challenges of an increasingly globalized world low fertility and an aging society. Economic planners recommend short-term migration of unskilled foreign workers who would be a revolving pool to fill jobs natives do not want. Singapore is promoting arts and culture in order to keep people in Singapore. The government has issued assurances that natives will have first priority on jobs education and training. Singapores ability to absorb workers will depend upon its economic performance.

Thailand's responses to transnational migration during economic growth and economic downturn.

Abstract: This paper gives an historical overview of immigration to Thailand since the 1970s and emigration since the 1960s. It describes migration policies since the 1930s. Final discussion focuses on the impact of economic contraction on migration. Immigration to Thailand dates back to the 1760s when a huge wave of Chinese emigrated to Thailand. The flow continued until about 1850 and resumed during 1905-17. The next big waves of immigrants were after 1975 when refugees fled Indochina and in the 1990s when migrants flocked from neighboring countries drawn to the booming economy. Thai professionals left in the 1960s for the USA. During the 1980s many left for work in the Middle East. During the 1990s Thai migrants moved within the East and Southeastern Asian countries and the USA or Europe and they included many women and illegal migrants. Emigrants leave as arranged by the government by employers by recruitment agencies and as trainees. The first official act was in 1950 and revised in 1979. Many work permits were approved in the 1990s especially for unskilled labor. There are supports for Thai migrants abroad but little is offered to foreigners at home. By 1997 the countrys recession led to nonrenewal of many work permits. The 1998 economic crisis led to a new labor policy that deported illegal and unskilled migrant workers in order to create jobs for Thais. Policy encouraged Thais to seek work overseas.

Rural Capitalists in India, Indonesia, and Malaysia; Three Cases, Two Debates, One Analysis?

Abstract: There are divergent explanations but common empirical themes in the study of rural entrepreneurship in South and Southeast Asia. Most studies are based on empirical data collection in one country and present their data within an analytical framework that is specific to the particular Asian sub-region concerned. Studies on the entrepreneurial class in South Asia tend to focus on the structural aspects of entrepreneurial behaviour, while studies on the entrepreneurial class in Southeast Asia tend to focus on the cultural aspects of their behaviour. By comparing the findings of field-work among Hindu, Muslim, and Chinese rural capitalists in India, Indonesia, and Malaysia, this paper argues that there is sufficient common ground in the type of empirical subject studied for a unified, comparative framework to be developed which will give us a better understanding into the emergence of the entrepreneurial class in both South and Southeast Asia.