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Occupational Attainment of Migrants and Local Workers: Findings from a Survey in Shanghai’s Manufacturing Sector

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  • Yu Chen

    (Department of Urban Studies, University of Glasgow, 25 Bute Gardens, Glasgow, G12 8RS, UK, y.chen@lbss.gla.ac.uk)

Abstract

This article addresses the linked topics of internal migration and occupational discrimination against migrants. The data, collected from 21 manufacturing companies in Shanghai, indicate that migrants are a heterogeneous group in terms of their origins. Migrants from rural areas are the least well-educated. In contrast, migrants from other cities in China have attained significantly higher education than local workers in Shanghai. Much of the literature compares the occupations of rural migrants and local residents; urban migrants are often neglected. By examining occupational patterns for rural migrants, urban migrants and local workers, this study adds to the literature through a full assessment of occupational inequalities. Such inequalities reflect both market forces (rewards for differing productivity) and institutional factors (rewards on grounds of residential status).

Suggested Citation

  • Yu Chen, 2011. "Occupational Attainment of Migrants and Local Workers: Findings from a Survey in Shanghai’s Manufacturing Sector," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 48(1), pages 3-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:48:y:2011:i:1:p:3-21
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098009360685
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Cécile BATISSE & Nong ZHU, 2011. "Migrations et discriminations professionnelles dans la province du Guangdong," Working Papers 201107, CERDI.
    2. Yaojun Zhang & Danlin Yu & Qiao Cen, 2019. "Investigating China's inter-prefecture migration from a place attractivity perspective, its spatial patterns, and demographic characteristics," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 41(34), pages 1007-1020.
    3. Cécile Batisse & Nong Zhu, 2011. "Migrations et discriminations professionnelles dans la province du Guangdong," Working Papers halshs-00578075, HAL.

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