Immigrant Workers Research Articles

AI Empowerment of Asian-Australian Migrant Workers: Progress, Potentials, and Patterns

As Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, becomes integral to organizational practices, its capacity to augment human capabilities presents opportunities and challenges. We focus on the integration of AI into the workplace, emphasizing its impact on Asian-Australian migrant workers—a group frequently transitioning from developing to developed economies and facing unique workplace challenges. We explore how AI may not only enhance job performance and integration by overcoming cultural and linguistic barriers but also influences perceptions of overqualification among these workers. Employing psychological empowerment theory and the information systems fusion framework, alongside time-lag surveys and K-means clustering, we introduce a novel AI empowerment scale and investigate the nuanced effects of AI on immigrant workers. Our findings reveal that while AI-driven psychological empowerment increases technology infusion use and overall job performance, it also underscores significant variations in how different demographic groups experience these benefits, offering new insights into the complex interplay between AI empowerment and employee perceptions. The study advances psychological empowerment and perceived overqualification research by revealing AI's varied impacts across workforce clusters. It underscores the need to manage AI carefully to avoid workplace inequalities and calls for further exploration of AI's dynamics in diverse settings.

Job Search Network, Human Capital Investment, and Immigrant Earnings: Findings from East Asia

This study investigates how and the extent to which informal job search through co-ethnic ties versus interethnic ties differentially relates to earnings inequality among female immigrant workers in South Korea. Nationally representative data are drawn from two cross-sectional waves of survey fielded in 2018 and 2021. Results show that obtaining a job through social contact leads to a significant wage penalty. Moreover, the magnitude of the education-income link becomes diminished for those who rely on informal job search. More specifically, better-educated immigrant women receive a greater penalty when finding a job through a personal network. In contrast to prior studies, our research thus highlights the negative consequences of network connectedness related to immigrant labor market incorporation.

Seguir adelante: A qualitative exploration of Latino farmworkers' work and nonwork resources.

Latino immigrant workers have been an exploited community within many dangerous workforces, but especially within the agricultural industry. They are a crucial population for the labor and economy of the U.S., yet Latino farmworkers report feeling expendable, discriminated against, and exposed to hazardous working conditions. Due to these experiences, it is essential to explore the resources that farmworkers find valuable in improving their working conditions. This study draws upon qualitative interviews conducted with 41 Latino farmworkers in Oregon. Themes pertaining to work and nonwork resources were uncovered through thematic analysis, illustrating that farmworkers receive support from their proximal communities and feel empowered by them, but lack support from their distal communities and need basic work necessities, fair wages, supportive supervisors, legislative labor protection, and a pathway to citizenship. Findings make clear that employers and elected officials must do more to advocate for Latino immigrant farmworkers and provide resources to protect their well-being. We demonstrate the need for future research related to changes in farmworkers' resources over time, their reporting of workplace violations, the impact of labor legislation on their health, and how information sharing or unionization occurs among farmworkers.

Organizational and Structural Factors in Building the Therapeutic Alliance in a Work Rehabilitation Program With Injured Immigrant Workers in Quebec.

The therapeutic alliance is central to occupational rehabilitation, particularly for immigrant workers who face unique challenges of migration and of social and occupational integration. This study explores the development and maintenance of this alliance between immigrant workers with compensated work injuries and their care providers during work rehabilitation. Using ethnography, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups, the qualitative case study involved 7 injured immigrant workers and their interdisciplinary clinical team. The study identified several factors that weakened the alliance, including administrative complexity, conflicting views on pain and disability, cultural stereotypes, and interorganizational communication issues. Many of these challenges were systemic and structural, occurring outside the clinic, complicating the rehabilitation process, and potentially prolonging the duration of disability. This paper discusses these systemic issues and their implications for the rehabilitation of immigrant workers.

Near Full-Length Genomic Characterization of a Novel HIV-1 Unique Recombinant (A1/D/K) from an Immigrant Worker in China Using Nanopore Sequencing.

Recombination contributes substantially to the genetic diversity of HIV-1. Here we reported a novel HIV-1 recombinant detected from a Chinese labor who had been to Uganda as an immigrant worker using nanopore sequencing. Near full-length genome (NFLG) phylogenetic analysis showed that the novel HIV-1 recombinant HIV-sd1801 stood in a distinct branch between the CRF130_A1B/CRF131_A1B and CRF50_A1D/CRF84_A1D reference sequences. Recombinant analysis showed that the NFLG of HIV-sd1801 was composed of subtypes A1, D, and K, with 19 recombinant breakpoints observed in the gag, pol, tat, rev, vpu, env, and nef regions. This is the first detection of a novel HIV-1 recombinant (A1/D/K) in immigrant workers in China, which indicated the continuous evolution of HIV-1 among this population and underscored the importance of continuous surveillance of the dynamic changes of HIV-1.

Claim Suppression of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Among Precariously Employed Immigrant Workers in Ontario.

Employers sometimes hinder the appropriate reporting of claims to workers' compensation, a phenomenon termed claim suppression. While the magnitude of claim suppression is difficult to quantify, various reports have identified it as a significant concern. In response, several Canadian jurisdictions, such as Ontario in 2015, introduced legislation addressing claim suppression. This article first discusses the legislative and policy context that influences claim suppression in Ontario, including concerns concerning the scope, interpretation, and enforcement of the law. It then presents qualitative findings from a community-based study with members of the Toronto Bangladeshi immigrant community that documented varied forms of employer claim suppression in precarious work, as well as facilitators of claim suppression within the workers' compensation and health care systems. Our findings and those of other research suggest that the scope of claim suppression is broader than that contemplated by the legislation. Our article proposes recommendations for the conceptualization of claim suppression and for legislation, policies, practices, and interventions that are grounded in workers' lived experiences.

Good Jobs or Bad Jobs? Immigrant Workers in the Gig Economy

New work arrangements enabled by online platforms, or gig work, saw substantive growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Various estimates have suggested the wide participation of workers in the gig economy, with minority and immigrant workers well represented. The quality of work is a multi-dimensional concept that goes beyond earnings. One framework of good jobs and bad jobs centers on control over work schedule, content and duration, stability, safety, benefits and insurance, as well as career advancement opportunities. Using a newly released national survey focused on entrepreneurs and workers in the United States, we find that about 18.5 percent immigrant workers and 21.1 percent native-born workers participated in the gig economy as their primary or secondary job. In terms of job quality, immigrant gig workers work shorter hours and have significantly less fringe benefits than non-gig workers as well as U.S.-born gig workers, reflecting a double disadvantage. However, they tend to have higher entrepreneurial aspirations, suggesting the transient nature of gig arrangements and potential for career advancements. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics and implication of immigrants’ engagement with the gig economy and offers policy and theoretical discussions.

Antwerp's Joys: Diamonds, Jewish Immigrant Workers, and Labour Organization in the Interwar Period

Abstract In the 1920s, Eastern European Jewish immigrants settled in Antwerp and became economically active in the diamond industry. While historians have focused on the role of Jewish commerce and the development of the diamond industry in Antwerp, the role of Jewish labour has been paid only scant attention. The current article focuses on the specific economic position of Eastern European Jewish immigrant diamond workers in Antwerp. It sheds light on the social and working conditions under which Jewish immigrants laboured. The reaction of Belgian diamond workers and their union towards the arrival of Jewish immigrants in the industry is also discussed. Special interest is accorded to the attempts of Jewish political parties and the Diamantbewerkersbond van België (ADB, General Diamond Workers Union of Belgium) to unionize the new arrivals. In this way, the article aims to contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics between immigrant labour, union organization, and (imported) political ideologies in the attempts to integrate foreign workers within the industry.

The determinants of remittances: An investigation from legal perspectives

This research aims to evaluate differences between micro-level determinants of remittance from immigrant workers and migrants in Vietnam. We employ the cross-sectional regression of 1680 observations collected by a survey across the country. We found that female workers had a lower frequency of supporting their household of origin through remittances than male workers while female migrants seemed to send more money to their home countries than male migrants. Interestingly, we document that overseas workers sent more money to those they left behind while migrants were found to send less remittance from the North to the South. In addition, other demographic determinants, including income, age, and marital status play a very important role in attracting remittance flows into Vietnam. Lastly, language proficiency might have a positive impact on remittance amount for both migrants and immigrant workers. These findings suggest that the government should improve and set regulations on foreign languages and skill training for overseas workers before they go abroad.

Health and Safety Training for Immigrant Dairy Workers in the Upper Midwest.

This project implemented Seguridad en las Lecherías, an award-winning, bilingual (Spanish and English), 5-module curriculum approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The intervention aimed to increase safety knowledge among immigrant dairy workers, encourage a safety culture, and identify challenges faced by the dairy farming community in Minnesota and South Dakota. A total of 360 Hispanic immigrant workers from 19 participating dairies were trained. Pre- and post-assessments revealed a statistically significant increase in knowledge after each training. Producers and managers provided positive feedback noting improved awareness of safety and positive behavior changes to reduce farm incidents. A flexible approach to implementation was essential to the intervention's success, including synchronizing training with workers' shifts. Overall, this application of the Seguridad en las Lecherías curriculum suggests that comprehensive, culturally responsive safety training delivered in the language spoken by workers can have a positive impact on workers' safety knowledge, practices, and behavior on dairy farms. Continued efforts to prioritize and reinforce worker safety are vital to the sustainability and well-being of the dairy farming community in the region and beyond.

Sosial Entrepreneur : Upaya Menumbuhkan Minat Wirausaha bagi Tenaga Kerja Imigran Indonesia di Ulu Langat Malaysia

This Community Service Activity (PKM) was carried out by STIE Sakti Alam Kerinci lecturers in Ulu Langat Malaysia where there are a lot of immigrant workers, especially workers from the Kerinci Regency and Sungai Full City areas who are members of the HKKN (National Kerinci Family Association) in Malaysia. This service aims to provide socialization regarding the importance of entrepreneurship even though most of the workforce already works in Malaysia. In this modern era, creativity and innovation are very necessary in various business fields to achieve competitive advantage. So, with this service activity, the aim is to increase the entrepreneurial spirit of the workforce so that they can increase family income, provide an understanding of creativity and innovation in entrepreneurship to immigrant workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This community service activity is carried out by providing lecture materials and provide examples of businesses that can increase immigrant workers' references in entrepreneurship. The material presented is relevant to current technological developments, so it is hoped that immigrant workers can change their mindset about the importance of being an entrepreneur in this modern era.

Inclusion Norms in Ontario Settlement Agencies as Workplaces: Between Prefiguration and Systemic Exclusion

This article examines the issue of inclusivity within nonprofit organizations as workplaces, focusing on the perspective of immigrant frontline workers of the Ontario settlement sector. Using a community-based collaborative approach, 25 frontline workers were invited to describe their experiences of integration of differences at work, involvement in decision-making, and equitable working conditions. Eight managers from the same agencies were also interviewed to better understand the policies and practices in their organization. The semi-directed interviews revealed that, while most organizations successfully integrate differences, there are some significant limitations regarding the involvement of immigrant frontline workers in decision-making and fair employment practices. This demonstrates a persistent form of systemic exclusion at the heart of Canada’s cultural mosaic.

Integrating Worker Health Education in Community Agencies to Address Immigrant Worker Health: A Pilot Implementation Trial.

This pilot trial aimed to determine implementation processes and outcomes to integrate Basic Worker Health Education (WHEB) in co-ethnic, not directly worker-focused, community agencies that function as cultural-linguistic brokers and service providers to immigrants. A Chinese WHEB prototype was developed and implemented at Chinese, Pan-Asian, and nonprofit community-based and Chinese faith-based organizations (N = 8). The implementation process (delivery model choice and areas for change) and outcomes (suitability and adoption sustainability) were evaluated qualitatively. The agencies selected four delivery models. Five agencies reached ≥70% of their target goal. Respondents described the chosen delivery models as suitable for the varying agency contexts. Three agencies continued WHEB; reasons for continuing or not continuing were identified. Findings highlight strategies to enhance the uptake and diffusion of worker health educational interventions in community settings.

L2 German Word Order Preferences by Immigrant L1 Korean Speakers

Abstract This study examines the L2 German verb placement preferences in 58 Korean immigrant workers in Germany. The verb placement preferences are compared to predictions of Organic Grammar (Vainikka and Young-Scholten, 2011). Assuming an incremental, bottom-up morphosyntactic development, the theory predicts the possibility that L2 acquirers develop only partial clausal structures. Organic Grammar further proposes a two-tree approach of morphosyntactic development and predicts that main clauses with verb-second order (V2) are acquired before subordinate clauses with verb-final order (OV). To test these predictions, participants completed two production tasks. Results show a mixed picture. Some participants’ L2 clausal structure seems to have developed only partially, supporting the incremental approach. Regarding the predicted order of acquisition, however, some participants who showed robust use of targetlike subordination with OV, struggled with V2, preferring V3 instead. This suggests the need for a revision of the two-tree approach to incorporate the V3 preference.

Battleground Michigan: The Divided Political Trajectory of the American Working Classes

Abstract The political behavior of core demographic voting blocs in critical swing states can be elucidated by Marxist class analysis. Through 22 interviews, participatory observation, novel analysis of statistical data and a review of extant literature, we argue that it is possible to construct a tentative sketch of the class dynamics operating within the state’s electorate today. We find, whereas downwardly mobile white workers are the core demographic group who can connect with Donald Trump’s campaign message, it is upwardly mobile workers of all races who are the mass base of Kamala Harris’ campaign, while Muslim immigrant workers with their unique relationship to American imperialism are at the core of Judith Stein and the Green Party’s voting base. Beyond this basic analysis, we also assess the contradictions between different class-inflected demographic groups within the Harris coalition that had to be overcome for the Democratic Party to carry this November. We argue that political economists should watch and study the November 2024 election as a test of American worker acceptance of the neoliberal superstructure, as would be evidenced by a Harris victory.

Community Service: Financial Management Training for Indonesian Immigrant Workers in Hong Kong before Return to Indonesia

The Faculty of Economics and Business as a form of the Tri Darma of Higher Education has carried out community service in collaboration with the Bina Nusantara Learning Center. This activity is an activity for Indonesian migrant workers working in Hong Kong. With the theme Financial Management Training for Indonesian Immigrant Workers in Hong Kong before Return to Indonesia, This community service is carried out via an online technique using the Zoom platform. On Sunday, July 31, 2022. This Community service activity includes 100 Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) who regularly participate in educational events at the Bintang Nusantara Learning Center Hong Kong. Evaluation of activities is carried out by distributing questionnaires to PMI who attend training in order to assess the level of success of activity implementation and participant satisfaction with the content that has been presented.

Xenophobia and Labor Migration in a Global Perspective: The Case of Colonial Burma, 1820–1940

Abstract This Burmese–Indian case study breaks new ground in global labor history on the question of why and how people turn against immigrant workers. The widespread riots against Indians in the 1930s were far from unique and, beyond their idiosyncratic South Asian and colonial context, bear a number of interesting similarities with clashes between workers worldwide in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Instead of dismissing mob violence in Asia and Africa as communal or tribal, the Burma case study shows that such Orientalist interpretations hide fundamental mechanisms that explain why and how violent collective conflicts between workers are rooted in attributed group characteristics. As in Europe and the Americas, in other parts of the world the rise of the nation state mobilized nativist sentiments.

Goldilocks' Purgatory: The Public Transcript of Performative Governance in Singapore

This article introduces a novel concept—Goldilocks' Purgatory—to explain how the Singaporean state rhetorically communicates to itself, and to internal and external audiences, of the logic and correctness of its political and policy decisions. By framing every decision as a carefully deliberated moderate choice that balances between two extreme and unsavoury options, state actors convince themselves and their audiences that their decisions are legitimate, justifiable, optimal, and worthy of support. This transcript is socially rooted in a civil service that analyzes public policy via basic macroeconomic models of dichotomized trade-offs, politically rooted in the People's Action Party's (PAP) continued electoral success and political dominance, and economically rooted in neoliberal global capitalism that prizes regulatory conservatism. This article further specifies how to empirically identify and measure Goldilocks' Purgatory, and illustrates its expression over time through an analysis of public pronouncements on Singapore's most contentious public policies—those related to immigration and foreign workers. Ultimately, Goldilocks' Purgatory explains why criticisms of Singapore politics and public policy are neutered and minimal, and why the country's electoral politics is so valence-focused and slow- moving.

Kafala v. Human Rights Migrant Workers at the 2022 Qatar World Cup

The research analyzes violations of human rights against immigrant workers at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. After receiving the privilege of hosting the 2022 World Cup, Qatar was faced with the problem of migrant workers, which has become a concern of the world community. Migrant workers who build infrastructure face discriminatory and exploitative treatment, and hundreds of migrant workers are found working on infrastructure development for the 2022 World Cup, where workers are affected by human rights violations by the companies where they work. The problem is due to the existence of the Kafala system, which is considered to be the root cause of all aspects of the migrant workforce in infrastructure development in Qatar through 2022. The research method used is normative legal research with a case approach. The results of the study show that the sponsorship kafala system implemented by Qatar only facilitates the occurrence of modern slavery through the exploitation of the rights of migrant workers. Therefore, the research examines Qatar's actions on human rights violations and the International Labour Organization (ILO) accountability in efforts to influence policies related to migrant workers in Qatar.

Mistrust among injured immigrant workers: A conceptual framework

Mistrust among injured immigrant workers: A conceptual framework