Differences in Job Security Satisfaction between Native and Migrant Workers in Australia: Exploring Gender Dimensions

Abstract

This paper investigates whether migrant workers are more or less satisfied with their job security than native workers, and whether these differences vary by gender using the 2007 Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. The analysis of migrants’ satisfaction with job security is particularly important in an Australian labour market environment given that it is increasingly dominated by non-permanent jobs and migrant workers. The descriptive statistics indicate a significant difference in satisfaction with job security between migrant and native workers. Linear and ordered probit regressions are invoked to examine whether or not being a migrant has a negative impact on job security satisfaction levels after controlling for key socio-demographic, human capital and labour market characteristics and these regressions are conducted separately for male and female workers. The role of expectations in affecting one’s satisfaction with job security is also explored. The model findings indicate that being a female migrant worker has a significant negative impact of job security satisfaction but the impact is insignificant for males. However, those who have spent the majority of their lifetime in Australia have assimilated more into the Australian labour market and are more comfortable with their job security.