Graeme Hugo and Soogil Young (eds): Labour mobility in the Asia–Pacific region: dynamics, issues and a new APEC Agenda

Abstract

This publication is based on a joint study by the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). It was undertaken, according to the Foreword, as ‘there has been no major region-wide discussion of the issues associated with international labour mobility in the Asia– Pacific region’ (p. vii). The study was co-ordinated by the Korea National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (KOPEC), a non-profit organization consisting of academic, business and government representatives, which was created in 1981 to represent Korea in PECC. Experts in 20 countries in the region were invited to prepare papers on the topic of ‘Demographic Change and International Labour Mobility in the Asia–Pacific region: Implications for Business and Regional Economic Integration’. The 20 case studies cover Japan, Republic of Korea, China, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, United States and Canada. Five synthesis papers were subsequently prepared, one for the Asia–Pacific as a whole, and one for each of four subregions: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific Americas. The book represents, therefore, an overview of current data and migration knowledge and research in the region. The opening chapter by Graeme Hugo provides a broad summary of the many complex situations facing the Asia–Pacific Region. The major issues covered are the general demographic context in the region; changing patterns of labour migration; drivers of new labour migrations; and labour migration and its possible development effects or promises. All of these sections provide a comprehensive overview of the major trends and debates around these topics. This is probably the most up-to-date summary of what is going on in the region.