International MigrationInternational Migration Source: http://www.worldsecuritynetwork.com

Source: http://www.jacekphot.comSource: http://www.maricopaworkforceconnection.com

Source: http://www.hp.com

International MigrationInternational Migration

““Permanent or semi permanent change of residence, Permanent or semi permanent change of residence, across national borders, by an individual or group of across national borders, by an individual or group of

people”.people”.

Happening everywhere and for a variety of reasons:Happening everywhere and for a variety of reasons:- War/politics- War/politics- Food/water- Food/water- Jobs- Jobs- Environmental concerns- Environmental concerns- Quality of life - Quality of life

Can be voluntary or involuntary.Can be voluntary or involuntary.

Two case studies: Singapore and Tuvalu.Two case studies: Singapore and Tuvalu.

Singapore: a Global City Singapore: a Global City Location of a disproportionate concentration of corporate Location of a disproportionate concentration of corporate HQ’s, international financial services, advanced producer HQ’s, international financial services, advanced producer services, advanced telecommunication facilities and other services, advanced telecommunication facilities and other supporting social and physical infrastructure.supporting social and physical infrastructure.

Attracts transnational flows of people – people from multiple Attracts transnational flows of people – people from multiple nations – converging on city because it is a place of money nations – converging on city because it is a place of money and culture.and culture.

Does not seem to belong to just one people of one nation but Does not seem to belong to just one people of one nation but fragments of people and cultures hailing from different parts of fragments of people and cultures hailing from different parts of globe.globe.

National borders are becoming more porous.National borders are becoming more porous.

Over time, transnational communities comprising large groups Over time, transnational communities comprising large groups of specific nationalities may establish themselves as a visible of specific nationalities may establish themselves as a visible presence in landscape of global city.presence in landscape of global city.

SingaporeSingaporeAims to be a cosmopolis in next millennium, a Aims to be a cosmopolis in next millennium, a city that is economically dynamic, socially city that is economically dynamic, socially cohesive and culturally vibrant. A city hub where cohesive and culturally vibrant. A city hub where people will enjoy a high standard of living as well people will enjoy a high standard of living as well as a cultured and sophisticated lifestyle enriched as a cultured and sophisticated lifestyle enriched through the arts.through the arts.

For these globalising visions to materialise, For these globalising visions to materialise, transnational flows of people are a necessary transnational flows of people are a necessary accompaniment.accompaniment.

Categories of Transnational Categories of Transnational Flows of PeopleFlows of People

1.1. Transnational Business and Professional ElitesTransnational Business and Professional Elites – high waged, high – high waged, high skilled employees usually associated with finance, banking and business skilled employees usually associated with finance, banking and business services. services.

- Referred to as ‘foreign talent’. - Referred to as ‘foreign talent’. - Much sought after by cities with globalising ambitions to create - Much sought after by cities with globalising ambitions to create

an an ‘oasis of talent’ and to give city a competitive edge. ‘oasis of talent’ and to give city a competitive edge. - Competition for foreign talent amongst globalising cities is very - Competition for foreign talent amongst globalising cities is very

stiff: stiff: expatriate workers are highly mobile, often circulating from city to expatriate workers are highly mobile, often circulating from city to city. city.

2.2. Low waged Unskilled Migrant WorkersLow waged Unskilled Migrant Workers – ‘Third World Populations’ who – ‘Third World Populations’ who

enter global city as contract migrant workers, occupying insecure niches enter global city as contract migrant workers, occupying insecure niches in unskilled or semi skilled sectors of urban service economy. in unskilled or semi skilled sectors of urban service economy.

- Mainly manual and construction workers (all male, mainly from - Mainly manual and construction workers (all male, mainly from Bangladesh, Thailand and the PRC), numbering about 500,000, Bangladesh, Thailand and the PRC), numbering about 500,000, while another 140,000 are foreign domestic workers (all female, while another 140,000 are foreign domestic workers (all female, mainly from Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka). mainly from Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka). - ‘Foreign workers’ are strictly regulated to ensure that they - ‘Foreign workers’ are strictly regulated to ensure that they

remain a remain a transient force. transient force. - Brought in on ‘use and discard’ principle. - Brought in on ‘use and discard’ principle.

Categories of Transnational Categories of Transnational Flows of People 2Flows of People 2

3.3. Expressive specialistsExpressive specialists – creative individuals who participate – creative individuals who participate in in the cultural scene in areas such as art, fashion, design, the cultural scene in areas such as art, fashion, design, photography, film making, writing, music and cuisine.photography, film making, writing, music and cuisine.

4.4. World TouristsWorld Tourists – attracted to the cosmopolitan ambience of – attracted to the cosmopolitan ambience of global cities. In 2001, Singapore received 7.5 million tourists.global cities. In 2001, Singapore received 7.5 million tourists.

Source: http://www.media.rice.edu

Source: http://www.startersinformatiecentrum.nl

Source: http://www.inco.com

‘Foreigners in our midst’

“If Singapore is reserved for Singaporeans alone, we would have a very small

Singapore, Singaporeans who are talented would emigrate to greener pastures. If, instead, we promote the idea of a Big

Singapore, then even Singaporeans who spend many years overseas would not want to give up their citizenship. The

opposite would happen. Others would clamber to join our ranks” (George Yeo, Minister for Information and the Arts)”.

The Immigration ArgumentThe Immigration ArgumentWill migrants “make the pie bigger, or take away the icing?”.Will migrants “make the pie bigger, or take away the icing?”.

Proponents argue that logic of importing talent is irrefutable given Proponents argue that logic of importing talent is irrefutable given that Singapore’s small size will never produce enough to maintain that Singapore’s small size will never produce enough to maintain a competitive edge in face of escalating regional and global a competitive edge in face of escalating regional and global competition.competition.

- use foreigners to erase divides between nationalities to fuel - use foreigners to erase divides between nationalities to fuel competition between places;competition between places;- historically an immigrant society;- historically an immigrant society;- highlight experience of other immigrant nations e.g. USA.- highlight experience of other immigrant nations e.g. USA.

Others fear economic, social and political problems => onslaught Others fear economic, social and political problems => onslaught of alien values will fray country’s social fabric; competition for of alien values will fray country’s social fabric; competition for space and amenities will heighten; and policies to attract such space and amenities will heighten; and policies to attract such talent will result in preferential treatment of non-citizens.talent will result in preferential treatment of non-citizens.

- expatriate workers bring competition right to doorstep.- expatriate workers bring competition right to doorstep.- ‘foreigners’ who become Permanent Residents enjoy all - ‘foreigners’ who become Permanent Residents enjoy all privileges of citizenship and none of the responsibilities.privileges of citizenship and none of the responsibilities.

Limits to cosmopolitanism in Limits to cosmopolitanism in Singapore’s vision of a global city?Singapore’s vision of a global city?

Public discourse on foreign workers has focused on issues such Public discourse on foreign workers has focused on issues such as social problems of foreign workers weekend enclaves, as social problems of foreign workers weekend enclaves, impact of maids on Singapore family and need for quick impact of maids on Singapore family and need for quick solutions to repatriate foreign workers found abandoned in solutions to repatriate foreign workers found abandoned in streets.streets.

In contrast to red carpet treatment given to foreign talent, state In contrast to red carpet treatment given to foreign talent, state policy with regard to foreign workers is conceived to ensure that policy with regard to foreign workers is conceived to ensure that they are little more than transient workforce. Stringent they are little more than transient workforce. Stringent legislation put into place not only to restrict numbers and ensure legislation put into place not only to restrict numbers and ensure short term migrant status, but also to govern employment.short term migrant status, but also to govern employment.

Emergence of a Neo-colonial attitude:Emergence of a Neo-colonial attitude:- Foreign maids banned from dining in social clubs and - Foreign maids banned from dining in social clubs and

swimming in condominium pools.swimming in condominium pools.- Given no day off contracts, confinement to employers home - Given no day off contracts, confinement to employers home and exclusion from public space signals lack of foothold on and exclusion from public space signals lack of foothold on terrain of civil society. terrain of civil society.

Cosmopolitan Singaporeans Cosmopolitan Singaporeans

Generally prefer speaking in English but who are also Generally prefer speaking in English but who are also bilingual, tend to work in sectors such as banking, I.T., bilingual, tend to work in sectors such as banking, I.T., engineering, science and technology and who are engineering, science and technology and who are comfortable anywhere in the world – have an comfortable anywhere in the world – have an international outlook.international outlook.

Government is encouraging Singaporeans to ‘go Government is encouraging Singaporeans to ‘go regional’ or ‘go global’ in order to fuel Singapore regional’ or ‘go global’ in order to fuel Singapore economy’s ‘second wing’. An attempt to foster growth of economy’s ‘second wing’. An attempt to foster growth of a Singaporean transnational elite class – people who are a Singaporean transnational elite class – people who are highly mobile and able to live and work anywhere in highly mobile and able to live and work anywhere in world but whose hearts still belong to Singapore.world but whose hearts still belong to Singapore.

Source: http://www.worldeagle.com

Source: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar

Tuvalu • Tuvalu comprises 3 islands and six atolls totaling 26km², and lies about 1000km north of Fiji.

• Highest point 5 metres above sea level, one of the world's most low-lying countries. Half population crammed on 30 hectare (75 acre) Funafuti atoll, which is only 3 metres above waves.

• Faced with prospect of being swamped by rising sea levels, Pacific island nation is considering evacuating its 9,300 residents.

• With global sea levels predicted to rise by more than 80cm over next century, Tuvaluans are living on borrowed time. Only solution, according to government, is to transport entire population overseas.

• Nearly 3,000 Tuvaluans already live overseas, and a government programme is now relocating 75 more every year.

Source: http://www.allstates-flags-com

Migration ProblemsMigration Problems

Tuvalu's Polynesian people arrived in islands 2,000 years ago Tuvalu's Polynesian people arrived in islands 2,000 years ago by way of Tonga, Samoa and Tokelau, but international by way of Tonga, Samoa and Tokelau, but international borders mean few relocation options are available. borders mean few relocation options are available.

Tuvaluan Government is lobbying Australia and New Zealand Tuvaluan Government is lobbying Australia and New Zealand to set aside land to serve as a new home for Tuvalu's people. to set aside land to serve as a new home for Tuvalu's people.

New Zealand has agreed to plan a 30-year immigration New Zealand has agreed to plan a 30-year immigration program. But Australia's Immigration Minister, Philip Ruddock, program. But Australia's Immigration Minister, Philip Ruddock, said this action was based on speculation. "Why would I said this action was based on speculation. "Why would I agree with that?" he asked. "I think it is on a 30, 40 or 50-year agree with that?" he asked. "I think it is on a 30, 40 or 50-year horizon, if it's going to occur at all.'‘horizon, if it's going to occur at all.'‘

An island of Fiji (Kioa) has been earmarked for transplantation An island of Fiji (Kioa) has been earmarked for transplantation yet its small (and intensely moralistic) community reject yet its small (and intensely moralistic) community reject changing morality of the Tuvaluans. changing morality of the Tuvaluans.

Moving a NationMoving a NationEnvironmental disasters have already forced c.25m Environmental disasters have already forced c.25m people from their homes, but this would be the first time people from their homes, but this would be the first time an entire nation was left homeless. an entire nation was left homeless.

President of Uniting Justice Australia says that President of Uniting Justice Australia says that Tuvaluans should be granted one of the uninhabited Tuvaluans should be granted one of the uninhabited islands at northern end of Great Barrier Reef. islands at northern end of Great Barrier Reef.

"You spell an end to a culture if you split them up, but "You spell an end to a culture if you split them up, but they would be happy to give up their national sovereignty they would be happy to give up their national sovereignty as long as they're able to stay together. Australia has no as long as they're able to stay together. Australia has no shortage of land," she said. shortage of land," she said.

““A mass relocation would ensure the Tuvaluan language A mass relocation would ensure the Tuvaluan language and culture is preserved instead of being scattered to the and culture is preserved instead of being scattered to the four corners of the earth”.four corners of the earth”.

But won’t be going without a fight. Tuvalu is considering plans But won’t be going without a fight. Tuvalu is considering plans to sue USA and Australia (the single-largest and largest per-to sue USA and Australia (the single-largest and largest per-capita emitters, respectively, of greenhouse gases) in capita emitters, respectively, of greenhouse gases) in International Court of Justice in The Hague for their failure to International Court of Justice in The Hague for their failure to ratify Kyoto Protocol. ratify Kyoto Protocol.

Proposed argument – that two nations’ emissions form an Proposed argument – that two nations’ emissions form an unfair restraint of trade, since they are in effect putting the unfair restraint of trade, since they are in effect putting the country of Tuvalu out of business. For good measure, Tuvalu country of Tuvalu out of business. For good measure, Tuvalu would follow up by suing large American polluters like would follow up by suing large American polluters like ExxonMobil in U.S. courts.ExxonMobil in U.S. courts.

Source: http://www.map.tuvalu.tv

Last year second-warmest on record, according Last year second-warmest on record, according to UN’s World Meteorological Organization.to UN’s World Meteorological Organization.

Changing climate is bringing higher tides and Changing climate is bringing higher tides and fiercer, more frequent storms that are eroding fiercer, more frequent storms that are eroding burial grounds and washing out crops. Within burial grounds and washing out crops. Within lifetime of some of today’s residents, these lifetime of some of today’s residents, these surges will likely turn Tuvalu into an surges will likely turn Tuvalu into an uninhabitable collection of rocks. uninhabitable collection of rocks.

Islanders already drink from rainwater tanks to Islanders already drink from rainwater tanks to preserve atolls' scanty groundwater, but preserve atolls' scanty groundwater, but seepage of salt water into farmland has seepage of salt water into farmland has destroyed crops and made islanders dependent destroyed crops and made islanders dependent on canned imports.on canned imports.

ConclusionConclusion

International migration is essential to functioning of International migration is essential to functioning of globalising world.globalising world.

People move for a variety of reasons including jobs and People move for a variety of reasons including jobs and lifestyles, and take with them skills and their culture.lifestyles, and take with them skills and their culture.

This ‘foreign talent’ is highly desirable and much sought This ‘foreign talent’ is highly desirable and much sought after.after.

At other end of spectrum, many people are forced from At other end of spectrum, many people are forced from their homelands by war, poverty, famine and their homelands by war, poverty, famine and environmental concerns.environmental concerns.

They are greeted much less kindly and are often They are greeted much less kindly and are often suppressed by laws and regulations which are designed suppressed by laws and regulations which are designed to keep them powerless and transient.to keep them powerless and transient.

BibliographyBibliography

Teo, P., Yeoh, B., Giok, O., and Lai, T. Teo, P., Yeoh, B., Giok, O., and Lai, T. (2004) (2004) Changing Landscapes of Changing Landscapes of SingaporeSingapore. Singapore: Strawberry Hill.. Singapore: Strawberry Hill.

Tuvalu Islands (2006). [Online]. Tuvalu Islands (2006). [Online]. [Accessed on 15/03/06]. Available from [Accessed on 15/03/06]. Available from World Wide Web: World Wide Web: <http://www.tuvaluislands.com/><http://www.tuvaluislands.com/>