2024-05-27-ADB-Labor_Migration_in_Asia_Trends_Skills_Certification_and_Seasonal_Work_134页_5mb

报告摘要

Summary of "Labor Migration in Asia: Trends, Skills Certification, and Seasonal Work"

Core Content

This report provides an in-depth analysis of labor migration in Asia, focusing on trends, skills certification, and seasonal work programs. It is a joint publication by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the International Labour Organization (ILO), drawing on data and insights from the 13th ADBI-OECD-ILO Roundtable on Labor Migration in Asia.

Main Points

1. Labor Migration Trends in Asia

Post-pandemic Recovery: In 2023, the Asian labor migration landscape rebounded, with over 7 million workers deployed, the highest since the early 2010s.
Main Destination Countries: Over half of these workers migrated to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, which received over 1.6 million Asian workers in 2023.
Second Main Destination: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) received 783,000 workers in 2023, a 65% increase from 2022.
Other Destinations: Significant flows also occurred to ASEAN countries, with Indonesia and Bangladesh being the largest sending countries. Qatar also saw a return to pre-pandemic levels, with a 20% increase in 2023.
Gender Composition: The share of women migrant workers in total outflows increased to 32% in 2023, up from 2016–2019 levels.
Skills and Occupations: Migration is dominated by elementary and medium-skilled workers, especially in construction, domestic service, and agriculture.
Remittances: Remittances to Asia and the Pacific reached $371.5 billion in 2023, representing 43.2% of the global total. This reflects the significant economic contribution of migrant workers to their home countries.

2. Middle-Skilled Labor Migration in the Construction Sector

Focus on Singapore and Thailand: The report examines middle-skilled migration in the construction sector in these two countries, highlighting the importance of skills certification and recruitment pathways.
Skills Recognition Frameworks: Both countries have developed skills recognition and certification frameworks to support the integration of migrant workers into the labor market.
Certification Requirements: In Singapore, certificates are required before employment, and there are overseas training centers offering relevant skills. In Thailand, work permits are issued based on specific criteria and occupational categories.
Comparison of Models: The Singapore model emphasizes skills certification, while the Thailand model relies more on employment permits and labor market needs.
Challenges: There is a lack of comprehensive data on the skills of middle-skilled workers, and the certification process is often complex and costly.

3. Migrant Seasonal Workers from Asia and the Pacific

Seasonal Work Schemes: The report reviews seasonal work programs in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, and touches on developments in Japan and the Republic of Korea.
Program Evolution: Seasonal work schemes have evolved to address labor shortages and economic needs, especially in agriculture and tourism.
Policy Concerns: Key concerns include risks of exploitation, labor rights, and overseas oversight. The UK has introduced seasonal worker quotas, while Australia and New Zealand have caps on seasonal worker arrivals.
Future Outlook: The future of seasonal work programs depends on policy reforms, labor market demand, and international cooperation.

Key Information

Main Countries of Origin: The Philippines, Bangladesh, and India are the top sources of labor migrants in Asia, with the Philippines leading in total outflows.
Main Countries of Destination: GCC countries, especially Saudi Arabia and UAE, are the largest recipients of Asian labor migrants.
Student Mobility: There is significant international student mobility to and from Asia, with OECD countries being major destinations.
Remittance Data: Remittance inflows and outflows are crucial for the economic development of many Asian countries, with remittance costs decreasing slightly in recent years.
Policy Implications: The report underscores the need for better skills certification, policy coordination, and protection of migrant workers' rights, especially in seasonal work programs.

Conclusion

The report highlights the importance of labor migration in Asia's economic development, particularly in filling labor shortages and supporting remittance flows. It calls for policy improvements in skills certification and seasonal work programs, emphasizing the need for cooperation between countries and greater oversight to protect migrant workers. The 2024 publication aims to serve as a policy reference and guidance tool for governments and stakeholders in the region and OECD countries.