ABSTRACTS

Socio-Economic Characteristics of Immigrants in Western Greece Region: Urban – Rural Continuum or Divide?

Theodoros IOSIFIDES, Thanasis KIZOS, Elektra PETRACOU, Ekaterini MALLIOTAKI, Konstantina KATSIMANTOU and Elena SARRI

Abstract

This paper aims at an investigation of factors of differentiation of basic social and economic characteristics of foreign immigrants in the Region of Western Greece. The paper explores whether the thesis of urban-rural divide is relevant for the differentiation of immigrants’ socio-economic characteristics in a typical Region of Greece, where there is a strong interplay between major urban centers and large rural areas. Findings show that spatial factors play a very limited role in the differentiation of socio-economic characteristics of immigrants and indicate that other factors are more important. Thus, and as regards socio-economic characteristics of immigrants, the overall picture is that of urban-rural continuum rather than divide.

Keywords: Immigrants’ socio-economic characteristics; rural-urban continuum; rural-urban divide

Wrestling with 9/11: Immigrant Perceptions and Perceptions of Immigrants

Caroline B. BRETTELL

Abstract

Soon after 9/11 a research project to study new immigration into the Dallas Fort Worth metropolitan area got under way. In the questionnaire that was administered to 600 immigrants across five different immigrant populations (Asian Indians, Vietnamese, Mexicans, Salvadorans, and Nigerians) between 2003 and 2005 we decided to include a question about the impact of 9/11 on their lives. We asked: “How has the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 affected your position as an immigrant in the United States?” This article analyzes the responses to this question, looking at similarities and differences across different immigrant populations. It also addresses the broader issue of how 9/11 has affected both immigration policy and attitudes toward the foreign-born in the United States.

Keywords: 9/11; United States; Dallas.

Women’s Cityward Migration, Domestic Service and Schooling in Southern Mexico

Jayne HOWELL

Abstract

That 40,000 women work as household workers in Oaxaca City (population 450,000) is deemed “very high for a country as developed as Mexico” (Selby, Murphy and Lorenzon 1991:48; INEGI 2001).  Ethnographic data collected among women currently and at one time working as either full-time or daily/hourly domestic workers shed light on the realities faced by unskilled women cityward migrants who find employment in the lowest paid, least prestigious jobs in the urban economy.  Two case studies are presented to illustrate ways that women's paid household labor can finance their own or their children's acquisition of the schooling requisite for more gainful, higher paid forms of urban formal sector employment.

Keywords: Oaxacans; Mexico; domestic workers; women; schooling.

Refugee Policy is a Realist’s Nightmare:

The Case of Southeast Asia

Chen Chen LEE

Abstract

Although Southeast Asia has experienced one of history’s most complex and massive displacement of populations during the Indo-China crisis, it remains one of the least advanced regions in terms of refugee law and practice. This paper explains the region's compassion fatigue towards refugees. States’ responses to refugee protection are limited by a prevailing sense of sovereign rights and communalism in the region, and the primordial need to safeguard national interest and state security. Other factors include lessons from the Indo-Chinese exodus, the underdevelopment of some economies, and a general poor record of human rights in the region.

Keywords: Refugees; Southeast Asia; Realism; State security.

New figures for old stories:

Migration and remittances in Nepal

Michael KOLLMAIR, Siddhi MANANDHAR, Bhim SUBEDI and Susan THIEME

Abstract

Labour migration and remittances are major economic mainstays for Nepal’s economy. However, there is still insufficient documentation on scale and significance of this process. Estimations of migration figures suggest that real numbers are several times higher than official statistics show. Therefore this article contributes to the emerging debate of the last years comparing latest national statistics with own empirical data. The paper concludes that the total numbers of migrants calculated by the authors closely corresponds with official statistics, while amount of remittances seems to be higher indeed, highlighting once more that labour migration and remittances are an important mainstay of Nepal’s economy.

Keywords: Nepal; labour migration; remittances.

Why Not Me? Women Immigrants and

Unemployment in New Brunswick

Judith DOYLE, Nicola MOONEY and Jane KU

Abstract

This article examines the experience of women immigrants and refugees in New Brunswick, Canada. In focus groups, employment, or rather the lack of employment, was a central concern for the women.  Many were skilled immigrants who urgently wished to be working in their field of expertise and felt disappointed with Canadian immigration processes and settlement in New Brunswick. Their emphasis on employment contrasted with their classification as dependent spouses by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and as refugees.

Keywords: immigration; gender; employment; skilled workers; Canada.