Description
We are all immigrants. Evolutionary biologists tell us that human life begansomewhere in Africa and then humans migrated to the Middle East and then onto Europe and Asia (see Diamond, 1998). The world is at present (August 2015) facing huge movements of refugees from war-torn countries in Africa and the Middle East to Europe. Boatloads of refugees are escaping and many of them are drowning in the sea as they seek shelter in the peaceful and richer countries in Europe. Unfortunately, many European countries want to close their doors on them, or just pass them on to their neighbouring countries. It is a sad reflection on humanity to see many of these refugees sheltering in unsafe camps with little access to food and water. From October 2013, the Italian government was sending out their ships to rescue migrants in overcrowded boats (under a plan called Mare Nostrum) but this was cut back in 2014 because of cuts in government expenditure, and more boats are now sinking. In the southern hemisphere, the “people smugglers” continue to send people in unsafe boats, and the Australian government has picked up these refugees and sent them back on naval boats to Indonesia or Vietnam. In the USA, many Mexicans try to enter illegally but are often forced back. Those who enter illegally find a better life, even though they may be in continual worry about being caught and sent back.
Many of the richer OECD countries have an ageing population and migrants; in the short run, provide a younger labour force that helps to provide for the ageing population. In the long run, a constant rate of immigration cannot help to change the demographic structure. However, as long as immigration continues for a few years, societies can benefit from a younger population. Although many migrants come from countries with larger families, usually after some time in the new country their fertility rates tend to move towards the native population’s fertility rates. The opposition to immigration by governments is partly due to economic fears – fears about losing jobs to immigrants, cuts in wages due to increased labour supply, welfare cheats leading to higher taxes for the natives – and sometimes worries about the environment. But often it is due to their fear of political opposition by xenophobic voters. Often the fear is of “coloured” people moving into European countries, and more recently, fears of Muslims “invading” their country.
Content:
List of Figures and Tables viii
Foreword by G. C. Harcourt xvi
Preface and Acknowledgements xvii
1 Introduction 1
2 Impact of Immigration on Recipient Economy 19
2.1 Immigration and the Australian Macroeconomy:
Perspective and Prospective 21
2.2 Immigration, Wages and Price Stability 35
2.3 Immigration and Australia’s External Account Balances 105
2.4 Recent Immigrants and Housing 160
3 How do Migrants Fare in the Labour Market? 249
3.1 Do Migrants Get Good Jobs? New Migrant Settlement
in Australia 251
3.2 Do Migrants Get Good Jobs in Australia? The Role of
Ethnic Networks in Job Search 273
3.3 Are Asian Migrants Discriminated against in the Labor
Market? A Case Study of Australia 301
Index 335