Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

International Migration And Development: Myths And Facts, Piyasiri Wickramasekara

PIYASIRI WICKRAMASEKARA

International migration has emerged as a priority issue on the global agenda in the two decades, especially in the context of its positive role for economic development. There is however, still considerable controversy and stereotyping on migration and migrants. Politicians, anti-immigration lobbyists and the media in Western countries propagate a number of unfounded myths about migration. It is claimed that there is massive migration from the South to the North in recent times. Increasing migration under irregular situations is believed to result in security threats demanding stringent border controls at destinations. Another longstanding myth is that migrants steal jobs from …

Assessment Of The Impact Of Migration Of Health Professionals On The Labour Market And Health Sector Performance In Destination Countries, Piyasiri Wickramasekara

PIYASIRI WICKRAMASEKARA

This book represents a report prepared for the EU-ILO project on "Decent work across borders: a pilot

project for migrant health professionals and skilled workers", coordinated by the International Labour

Organization, ILO Country Office for the Philippines.

The Assessment of the impact of migration of health professionals on the labour market and health sector performance in destination countries is an attempt to understand the impact of the migration of health professionals on the labour market and performance and quality of health services in major countries of destination, particularly the United Kingdom. It focuses on two categories of health professionals: doctors …

Good Practices In Standard Setting For Domestic Worker Contracts, Piyasiri Wickramasekara

PIYASIRI WICKRAMASEKARA

The presentation discusses international good practices in model or standard employment contracts in protection of migrant domestic workers. International instruments negotiated by ILO and UN constituents are the best sources of good practices. It outlines the provisions in international instruments, particularly the ILO Convention on Domestic Workers, 2011 (No. 189). The author maintains that for maximum effectiveness, the model/standard contracts should be mutually recognized by countries of origin and destination, and duly enforced to ensure compliance by employers, and supplemented by other measures. The author concludes that there is a large unfinished agenda in ensuring decent work for domestic workers.

Regulation Of Recruitment Process And Reduction Of Migration Costs: A Comparative Analysis Of South Asia, Piyasiri Wickramasekara

PIYASIRI WICKRAMASEKARA

The study undertakes a comprehensive review of issues relating to recruitment processes and high migration costs in South Asia with special focus on Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The paper first highlights migration trends in South Asia, and main features of South Asian migration. Next the paper reviews the international normative framework of recruitment covering the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181), the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189), and the ILO Multilateral Framework on Migration (2006).

The paper reviews the main features and practices of private recruitment agencies and the legislative and regulatory framework covering their operations.

It …

Mainstreaming Migration In Development Agendas: South Asia, Piyasiri Wickramasekara

PIYASIRI WICKRAMASEKARA

The presentation addresses the issue of mainstreaming labour migration into development agendas of South Asian countries. Starting with definitions, it identifies tools which can be used for mainstreaming: national development plans, PRSPs, national labour migration policies, and sectoral policies, among others. It reviews the role of remittances, return migration and diaspora engagement as mechanisms for mainstreaming. It raises some contradictions and ambiguities in the regional and international discourse on the issue. finally it raises the role of migration in the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Remarks By Discussant: Situation Report On International Migration In South And South-West Asia 5 April 2012, Piyasiri Wickramasekara

PIYASIRI WICKRAMASEKARA

No abstract provided.

Circular And Temporary Migration Regimes And Their Implications For Family, Piyasiri Wickramasekara

PIYASIRI WICKRAMASEKARA

he focus on migrant workers in discussions of international migration has tended to detract attention from the role of migrant families. There is consensus that family unification is important for migrants because it helps to promote their effective integration in host countries. Further family fragmentation has adverse impacts on all family members, and there is considerable research to show that the social cost of migration on families left behind, especially children, can be high. Different migration regimes and policies have different implications for the unity and integrity of migrant families. This paper considers the implications of circular migration regimes (which …

International Labour Migration: The Missing Link In Globalization, Piyasiri Wickramasekara

PIYASIRI WICKRAMASEKARA

The paper analyzes the linkages between globalization and international mobility of people and labour, and concludes that labour migration is the missing link in globalization. It highlights that recent trends in labour mobility across borders hardly match optimistic rhetoric on migration and development and transnationalism at the international level. This paper briefly reviews recent trends in international mobility, particularly of workers, and reviews evidence and causes of mounting barriers to mobility. It discusses the emerging areas of convergence and divergence on policy and institutional options to optimize migration of labour for the welfare of the global economy.

Circular Migration: A Triple Win Or A Dead End, Piyasiri Wickramasekara

PIYASIRI WICKRAMASEKARA

In recent years circular migration has been promoted in international circles as a triple win solution, bringing benefits to destination countries, origin countries and migrant workers themselves – and a major mechanism to reap development benefits of labour migration. This paper reviews issues relating to the conceptual basis of circular migration, the claimed benefits of circular migration, and its wider implications for migrant rights and protection, in particular those relating to low skilled workers. The paper distinguishes between ‘Spontaneous circular migration’ and ‘managed’ or ‘regulated’ circular migration programmes. Recent years have seen increasing interest in these managed programmes as a …

Diasporas And Development: Perspectives On Definitions And Contributions, Piyasiri Wickramasekara

PIYASIRI WICKRAMASEKARA

The paper addresses an important aspect of the current migration and development debate - the role of diasporas and transnational communities as contributors to the development of their origin countries. He shows that diaspora definitions, estimates of diaspora numbers and conceptualising their contributions are very much inter-related.

In the first section, the author reviews different definitions of diasporas and transnational communities. He then provides some statistical information and estimates available on diaspora communities in different regions of the world with some discussion of their profiles. The diversity of the diaspora is examined in terms of age and skill profiles, length …