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Seasonal Labor Mobility in the Pacific: Past Impacts, Future Prospects

Author

Listed:
  • John Gibson

    (Department of Economics, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand)

  • Rochelle-Lee Bailey

    (Department of Pacific Affairs, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia)

Abstract

The Pacific islands have weak economic growth and limited structural change compared to the rest of developing Asia. Remoteness and low economic density are two causes. To mitigate these constraints, bilateral arrangements with Australia and New Zealand let Pacific workers seasonally migrate to access higher-paying, more dynamic labor markets. Managed circular schemes are designed to benefit employers in labor-intensive sectors like horticulture, Pacific workers with limited employment opportunities in their own countries, and the communities providing workers. Several studies show large, positive impacts, but more general development impacts have been harder to find. Likewise, clear quantitative evidence of positive impacts in host countries has been hard to obtain. In this paper, we review the main seasonal labor mobility schemes in the Pacific and provide new evidence on community-level and aggregate impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • John Gibson & Rochelle-Lee Bailey, 2021. "Seasonal Labor Mobility in the Pacific: Past Impacts, Future Prospects," Asian Development Review, MIT Press, vol. 38(1), pages 1-31, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:adbadr:v:38:y:2021:i:1:p:1-31
    DOI: 10.1162/adev_a_00156
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael A. Clemens & Satish Chand, 2023. "Labour Mobility With Vocational Skill: Australian Demand and Pacific Supply," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 56(4), pages 462-486, December.
    2. Federico Davila & Olivia Dun & Carol Farbotko & Brent Jacobs & Natascha Klocker & Ema Vueti & Lavinia Kaumaitotoya & Angela Birch & Peter Kaoh & Tikai Pitakia & Sinaitakala Tuʼitahi, 2023. "Agrifood systems knowledge exchange through Australia‐Pacific circular migration schemes," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 10(1-3), pages 5-27, January.

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