Temporary migration of foreign workers : described with particular attention to east-west migration

Abstract

"This essay provides an overview of the problems of temporary migration of foreign workers. The analysis focuses particularly on the bilateral agreements regarding the employment of foreign workers who are abroad in order to improve their vocational knowledge and skills, of seasonal workers, and of contract workers who go abroad temporarily with their company as part of a project. The main results and conclusions are: Most European countries have opened various doors for temporary migration in the form of seasonal employment, employment for foreign workers and contract workers or other temporary activities. Bilateral agreements regarding the employment of contract workers were concluded particularly in the Federal Republic of Germany with a range of Central and Eastern European countries. The 'revolving door' of temporary employment should achieve the possibility of legal temporary work as well as a certain control of migratory movement. A considerable south-north and east-west migratory pressure will remain in the future. It is argumented that temporary migration could help to reduce this pressure between differently structured economies and at the same time contribute to the development of the less developed economies. Ideally both sides, both the emigration country and the receiving country, should profit from this. A comparison of the interests of the parties involved did not always reveal coinciding interests and showed that expectations are often too high. The latter case is particularly true of the expected relief on the labour market in the country of origin and of the degree to which the knowledge and skills aquired abroad can be utilized on returning. On the other hand, the effects resulting from the transfer of capital should be judged positively with regard to balance of payments, improvement in the income situation of the migrant worker's family, or the investment level in the country of origin. Difficulties may arise for the receiving countries if there is a displacement of local workers by foreign workers, or if temporary migration provides a gateway for illegal employment." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Werner, H. (1996): Befristete Zuwanderung von ausländischen Arbeitnehmern. Dargestellt unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Ost-West-Wanderungen. In: Mitteilungen aus der Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung, Vol. 29, No. 1, p. 36-53.