Technological developments, migration and the future of work

Abstract

"There is no doubt that technological change is transforming labour markets worldwide and thus also alters migration patterns. New technologies lead to the creation of jobs and changes in work requirements. The differentiation between movable (vs. non-movable) jobs has significant consequences for mobility patterns as well as the emergence of transnational labour markets. But technological progress also implies job losses in some segments of the labour markets. This, in turn, can cause people to move elsewhere. Additionally, the lack of technological progress in many countries of origin may make outmigration attractive. Further, entangled legal infrastructure(s) of technological change, labour markets and mobility are increasingly relevant – at present we see a predominance of “trial-and-error” approaches of the various actors engaged. Yet, legal infrastructure may both cause and facilitate as well as hinder people to move into regular jobs. It can simultaneously encourage and discourage employers to engage migrants in non-precarious ways. While writing this research brief the situation in Ukraine with its millions of refugees fleeing towards Western countries illustrates in a dramatic way the interwovenness of technologies and legal infrastructures. A fast and sustainable integration into the various administrative systems, the fight against disinformation, and fake news in social networks are only the tip of the iceberg of an ongoing digitalization of our societies and their institutions Technological change especially affects labour markets and social policies regarding the way we “do” work. In different societies, cultures, and world regions, (new) technologies shape routines and work processes to different degrees and in different ways. This has implications for the value and applicability of migrants’ qualifications and skills and, in turn, for their social integration in firms and socie" (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Hillmann, F., Ambrosini, M., Bak Jørgensen, M., Lange, T., Duncan, H., Falkenhain, M., Pang, C., Piper, N., Schammann, H., Schlee, T., Spielhaus, R., Hong, T., Walton-Roberts, M. & Ziebarth, A. (2022): Technological developments, migration and the future of work. (Research Briefs of the Pre-Conference Process of the International Metropolis Conference 2022 1), Berlin, 10 p.