The unintended consequences of migration policy on origin-country labor market decisions

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Development Economics
Year: 2020
Volume: 142
Issue: C

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Due to concerns about human trafficking, Japan restricted the flow of Filipino migrants into performing arts jobs, effectively closing the Philippines' largest migration channel. I exploit heterogeneity in the impact of this migration restriction across the Philippines to examine the effect of circular migration on sending-country labor markets. I find a lack of fungibility in migration opportunities such that the restriction decreased migration from areas that sent entertainers to Japan. Labor force participation increased, income declined, and child labor increased. I document spillover effects to other migration opportunities, such that migration declines by more than the number of restricted entertainers.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:deveco:v:142:y:2020:i:c:s0304387818310307
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29