亚开行-亚洲劳工移民：通过金融和科技增加移民对发展的影响（英文）-2018.3-131页-1mb

Summary of "Labor Migration in Asia: Increasing the Development Impact through Finance and Technology"

Core Content

This document explores the trends and impacts of labor migration in Asia, with a focus on how financial inclusion and technological advancements can enhance its development impact. 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), based on the Seventh Roundtable on Labor Migration in Asia held in Manila in January 2017.

Main Trends in Labor Migration

1.1 Introduction

• In 2015, over 40% of the world's migrants originated from Asia.
• Asia has been a key region for both labor migration and destination for decades, especially for Gulf countries and OECD member states.
• Migration has been influenced by both economic factors and conflicts, such as those in Syria and Afghanistan.
• Women constitute a significant portion of the migrant population, but their share has declined slightly in some regions.

1.2 Medium-Term Trends

• The number of international migrants in Asia increased by 60% between 1995 and 2015, compared to a 50% increase globally.
• The share of Asian migrants in the global migrant stock rose from 36% to 41% over the same period.
• The increase in Asian migrant stock was driven mainly by Southeastern and Southern Asia.
• The trend in the most recent 5-year period (2010-2015) was influenced by migration from Syria.
• The share of women among migrants has decreased slightly in some regions, but remains high in others.

1.3 Migration to Non-OECD Countries

• Labor migration from Asia slowed in 2016, with declines in several major origin countries.
• The Philippines, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were the top countries of origin.
• Outflows from the Philippines dropped by 8%, from 1.438 million in 2015 to 1.328 million in 2016.
• Pakistan saw a 11% decline in outflows, with 839,000 workers deployed in 2016.
• India's outflows decreased by 33%, due in part to the introduction of the e-Migrate system.
• Bangladesh experienced a 42% increase in worker departures in 2016, surpassing Pakistan as a major source of labor for Saudi Arabia.

1.4 Migration to OECD Countries

• Migration to OECD countries has been influenced by economic growth and policy changes.
• The top 15 Asian countries of origin for migration to OECD countries in 2015 included several from South and Southeast Asia.
• The top 15 OECD destination countries for Asian migrants in 2015 included the United States, Canada, Australia, and European nations.
• The labor market situation for Asian migrants in OECD countries is mixed, with some facing challenges in integration.

1.5 International Mobility of Students

• Asian students are increasingly moving to OECD countries for higher education.
• The top Asian destination countries for international students in 2015 included the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
• The share of master's and doctoral students among international students has increased, indicating a shift in educational mobility.

1.6 Remittance Flows to Asian Countries

• Remittances to Asian countries in 2016 amounted to $550 billion, representing 8% of the total remitted amount.
• Remittance flows remain above the global average and the UN Sustainable Development Goals target of 3%.
• The main sources of remittances to Asia in 2016 were the United States, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and other OECD countries.

Key Views and Insights

2.1 Leveraging Remittance Technologies

• Reducing remittance costs is crucial for maximizing the development impact of migration.
• Digital finance and technology can significantly improve the efficiency and accessibility of remittance systems.
• Financial inclusion is a major benefit of digital remittance solutions.
• Good governance and policy frameworks are essential for attracting diaspora investment and remittances.

3.1 Diaspora Finance and Remittances

• Engaging the diaspora is an important strategy for home country development.
• Diaspora finance and remittances can support local economies and promote investment.
• However, investment products are not widely popular among ordinary migrant workers.
• Efforts to improve formal remittance channels and engage the diaspora have shown some success, especially in countries like China and India.

4.1 Mobility of Indian IT Professionals

• The international movement of Indian IT professionals is a significant trend.
• Japan is actively seeking foreign IT professionals, offering incentives such as relaxed residency requirements.
• Traditional destinations like the United States and the United Kingdom are re-evaluating their immigration policies, which may affect the mobility of IT professionals.
• The changing labor mobility patterns of IT professionals reflect broader shifts in the global labor market.

Key Information

• Remittance Trends: Remittances to Asia in 2016 were $550 billion, with the GCC being a major source.
• Cost Reduction: The average cost of remittances in Asia is around 8% of the total amount, which is higher than the global average.
• Technology Role: Digitalization of remittance systems can improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Policy Implications: Better policies are needed to promote financial inclusion and efficient remittance channels.
• Diaspora Engagement: Strategies to engage the diaspora and mobilize funds for home country development are being explored.
• Gender Differences: Women are a major component of labor migration, especially in domestic and care sectors, but their share has decreased in some regions.
• Regional Shifts: Migration to the GCC has declined, while some countries like Bangladesh have increased their labor exports.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the potential of finance and technology to enhance the development impact of migration in Asia. It calls for policies that reduce remittance costs, promote digital finance, and engage the diaspora in development initiatives. The changing patterns of labor migration and the increasing role of IT professionals highlight the need for adaptive strategies and international cooperation.