Impacts of International Migration and Remittances

We use original 2005 survey data from Fiji and Tonga on remittances and household income to estimate the combined impact of migration and remittances on the composition of household income. A two-stage methodology is followed. A variable for the predicted number of migrants in each household is generated to control for selectivity in migration. This variable is then used in a 3SLS remittances and income equation system. In neither country do we observe significant impacts on agricultural cash income, but, in relation to other income sources, including subsistence agriculture, wages and non-agricultural business activities, some significant and different effects are found, both positive and negative. These findings suggest that the duration and intensity of remittance-driven migration, and the structure of economic activity within a community are important in understanding the influences of migration and remittances on household resource allocation and production decisions and on the community�s economic transformation.

Worker absence and shirking : evidence from matched teacher-school data.

We utilise a unique matched teacher-school data set of absenteeism records to quantify the impact of group interaction on the absence behavior of primary and secondary teachers. To address problems of identification our study focuses on teachers who move between schools. The estimates for movers suggest that absenteeism is influenced by prevailing group absence behaviour at the school. Our finding suggests that a worker takes one more day of absenteeism if their average coworker takes 12 more days or 8 more days absenteeism per quarter for primary school and secondary school teachers, respectively. We interpret this as evidence that worker shirking is influenced by workplace absence norms

Comparison of Optimal Control Solutions in a Labor Market Model

In this paper a variety of computational optimal control techniques are compared on a complicated nonlinear discrete-time model. We use a labor market model with the objective of trying to obtain an unemployment rate objective, using an active labor market program as a control. In reality the control is constrained as only limited proportion of the unemployment can attend the labor market program. A variety of computational optimal control techniques are applied. The techniques include numerically linearizing the model and using standard linear quadratic optimal control and applying this to the nonlinear model; model based predictive control; and stacking the model over time and using optimisation techniquesLabour market policies; Optimal Control.

Does more education always lead to better health? Evidence from rural malaysia

Background. Education is usually associated with improvement in health; there is evidence that this may not be the case if educationis not fully utilised at work. This study examines the relationship between education level, occupation, and health outcomes ofindividuals in rural Malaysia. Results. The study finds that the incidence of chronic diseases and high blood pressure are higher fortertiary educated individuals in agriculture and construction occupations. This brings these individuals into more frequent contactwith the health system. These occupations are marked with generally lower levels of education and contain fewer individuals withhigher levels of education. Conclusions. Education is not always associated with better health outcomes. In certain occupations,greater education seems related to increased chronic disease and contact with the health system, which is the case for workersin agriculture in rural Malaysia. Agriculture is the largest sector of employment in rural Malaysia but with relatively few educatedindividuals. For the maintenance and sustainability of productivity in this key rural industry, health monitoring and job enrichmentpolicies should be encouraged by government agencies to be part of the agenda for employers in these sectors

Scarring, Habituation and Social Exclusion: Work Histories in Secure and Insecure Employment

This paper analyses the impact of unemployment experiences on the life satisfaction of Australian workers in casual and permanent employment. Using panel data techniques, it was found that male permanent workers were scarred by previous unemployment. This contrasted with casual workers who seem habituated to the e¤ects of past unemployment. Social norming e¤ects were evident for permanent workers, unemployment scarred deeper when it was less of a general norm, this was not the case for casual workers. Social psychology research suggests that disadvantaged groups tend to prefer intragroup or intertemporal comparisons. Casual workers. habituation to past unemployment and lack of social norming could contribute to the process of social exclusion.

Impacts of International Migration and Remittances on Source Country Household Incomes in Small Island States: Fiji and Tonga

We use original 2005 survey data from Fiji and Tonga on remittances and household income to estimate the combined impact of migration and remittances on the composition of household income. A two-stage methodology is followed. A variable for the predicted number of migrants in each household is generated to control for selectivity in migration. This variable is then used in a 3SLS remittances and income equation system. In neither country do we observe significant impacts on agricultural cash income, but, in relation to other income sources, including subsistence agriculture, wages and non-agricultural business activities, some significant and different effects are found, both positive and negative. These findings suggest that the duration and intensity of remittance-driven migration, and the structure of economic activity within a community are important in understanding the influences of migration and remittances on household resource allocation and production decisions and on the community's economic transformation

Overeducation and the Assimilation of Recently Arrived Immigrants: Evidence from Australia

Australian immigration policy, in common with the US and Canada, has increased the emphasis on skill based selection criteria. We examine immigrant overeducation in the early phases of settlement in Australia. In particular, we assess the role of visa category of entry and region of origin. In contrast to expectations, skill based visa immigrants did not experience markedly lower overeducation rates than those on family based visas. Whereas immigrants from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds, especially Asian, faced higher rates of overeducation. Overeducation translates into a earnings penalties. Based on the results in this study, the aggressive pursuit of skill based immigration policies may not lead to any substantial reduction in immigrant overeducation

Scarring, Habituation and Job Flexibility: Work histories in Secure and Insecure Employment

Increases in the use of fexible employment contracts create more frequent transitions between unemployment and employment. This paper analyses the impact of cumulative unemployment experiences on the life satisfaction of Australian male workers in flexible employment. Using panel data techniques, it was found that permanent contract workers were scarred by previous unemployment. This contrasted with flexible contract workers who seem habituated to the effects of past unemployment. Social norming effects were evident for permanent workers, unemployment scarred deeper when it was less of a general norm, this was not the case for casual workers. Flexible contract workers.habituation to past unemployment and lack of social norming could contribute to the process of social exclusion

An Investigation of the Magnitude of Educational Disadvantage Amongst Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Minority Groups in Australia

Indigenous minority groups in countries such as the US, Canada and Australia are amongst the most disadvantaged minority groups in the developed world. This disadvantage is strongly associated with 'pre-market' factors. This paper examines pre-market disadvantage of indigenous Australians by assessing academic performance at a relatively early age. We find that, when compared to non-indigenous Australians, indigenous Australians are already, on average, 1 year behind in academic achievement by the age of 10. Furthermore, their performance continues to deteriorate over the next two years of schooling. Only a limited proportion of their poor achievement can be accounted for by observable personal characteristics or unobservable variations in school and spatial characteristics

Paradox lost:disappearing female job satisfaction

The greater job satisfaction reported by female workers represents a puzzle given, on average, their worse labour market outcomes. Using the original data source of Clark (1997), we show that over the last two decades the female satisfaction gap has largely vanished. This reflects a strong secular decline in female job satisfaction. This decline happened for younger women in the 1990s as they aged and because of new female workers in more recent years that have lower job satisfaction than their early 1990s peers. Decompositions make clear that the decline does not reflect deteriorating job characteristics for women but rather their increasingly harsh evaluation of jobs characteristics. These findings fit with the suggestion that women in the early 1990s had a gap between their labour market expectations and actual experience that has since closed and that the gender satisfaction gap has vanished as a consequence