The Filipino Worker in a Global Economy

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The Filipino Worker in a Global Economy

e)

country's history showed migration rates increased as the political situation deteriorated. The 1983crisis was a primary example, especially where it concerned the exit of the middle class and highly skilled labor during that segment of our history, Immigration rules in destination countries. The number of migrants is also determined by the openness of a certain country, whether explicit or implicit, to accept foreign labor. Countries with inadequate labor stock will tend to be more lenient with regard to working visas while others with excess supply will be relatively more strict. Albnro (1993) notes that in Asia, while many countries have strict migration policies, implicitly they allow undocumented workers to enter, as this type of labor is cheap and needed for the competitiveness of their industries.

However, for the purpose of this study, an eclectic migration model is proposed. Several determinants of international migration in the Philippines may be lumped together in the following variables. a) Income variable. Given Schiff's exposition on migration costs, this variable will tell us whether the financing constraint is binding or not. According to Schiff (1998), a positive sign is proof of the existence of this constraint. b) Economic condition variables. These are typical "push" factors that catalyze migration decisions. They may refer to a country's economic growth, cost of living and unemployment situation. These variables are typically compared with those of the destination countries as inputs to the final decision making of an individual. c) Trade variables. Assuming these factors are fixed, these variables verify whether traded goods are substitutes or complements to international labor mobility. d) Political variables. These include political stability in the sending country, peace and order, and possibly immigration rules of host countries. Most of the time, they are very difficult to measure.


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