International Conference:
Migrant Labour in Southeast Asia: Needed, Not Wanted
to be held at
Faculty of Economics, Business and Law
The University of New England,
Armidale, Australia
1-3 December, 2003
First Circular and Call for Papers
Invitation
The Conference conveners cordially invite you to participate in an international conference Migrant Labour in Southeast Asia: Needed, Not Wanted, to be held at The University of New England from 1-3 December, 2003.
Conference Theme
The cross-border movement of people, consistent with the increased integration of economies and ongoing changes in the international division of labour, forms an essential component of the globalisation process. Yet while trade and financial flows are welcomed by nations, labour flows raise concerns about possible influxes of both documented and illegal migrants, the potential erosion of national sovereignty; and, since September 11, 2001, fears of terrorism. In the third millennium, therefore, barriers have come down and the sharp increase in labour mobility has coincided with official recruitment agencies and private entrepreneurs providing all sorts of services to migrant workers in exchange for fees. This has led to stricter immigration policies and border controls by the state, which in turn have been met with resistance from humanitarian organisations. Migration has thus become a major domestic and international political issue in the region. Closer international cooperation between the Southeast Asian countries is seen by many as essential for regulating labour migration and the creation of effective and equitable border control systems. But such cooperation requires an understanding of the origins and nature of labour migration in the region; the economics of migration; and the perpetuation of such migration.
The focus is on:
- The changing patterns of labour markets/supply and demand within the Asian and Southeast Asian regions in the context of major global problems including economic disparities and structural interdependencies between source and destination countries; poverty; inequality; unemployment; population growth and rural stagnation
- Regional and up-dated assessment of migration patterns after the economic crisis in the region
- Transnationalism and Migrant communities
- Cooperation between Australia and the Southeast Asian countries on Border Controls and trafficking
Papers
The Conveners now call for abstracts (300 words maximum) from intending participants. Presenters will be asked to provide full working papers for distribution at the conference.
Conference Excursion
There will be an optional half-day excursion on Wednesday afternoon, 3 December. to the World Heritage New England National Park. Cost to be advised.
Publications
Selected refereed and accepted papers will be published as a special journal issue and/or a book; negotiations are proceeding with potential publishers. All other papers, following peer review and acceptance, will be published in electronic form as a collection of UNEAC Asia Papers on the Internet via the UNEAC Web Page.
Registration
Early Bird (by 20 July 2003): A$100/-
Late Registration: A$120/-
Student/Unwaged: A$70/-
[Includes Morning and afternoon Teas, Lunches and a Conference pack]
Conference Dinner: A$30
Accomodation
Accommodation can be arranged at the Cameron Motor Lodge, Armidale at a special conference cost of A$68/- per night, including full breakfast. Alternative accommodation can also be arranged.
Conference Conveners
Professor Amarjit Kaur, School of Economics, UNE
Professor Ian Metcalfe, Asia Centre, UNE
Speakers
Paper presenters will include:
Professor Tessa Morris Suzuki, ANU
Professor David Seddon, East Anglia, UK
Professor Amarjit Kaur, UNE
Mr Gorawut Numnak, UNE
Dr. Nadra Hosen, Head of Environmental Technology and Biodiversity, Office of Vice-deputy Minister for Research, Science and Technology Development, Jakarta
Dr. Delia Monares, Women and Development Studies Dept., Univ. of the Philippines
Dr. Myat Mon, School of Management, Assumption University, Bangkok
Professor P. Ramasamy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Assoc. Professor Diana Wong, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Assoc. Professor Kiranjit Kaur Universitii Teknologi Malaysia and the National Council of Women's Organisations (NCWO)
Dr. Loh Lee Lee, Bahai Women's Group, Malaysia
Dr. Pratima Paul-Majumdar, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies
Dates to Remember
May 2003: Release of First Circular
20 June 2003: Release of 2nd Circular and Registration Form
20 July 2003: Deadline for receipt of early-bird registration and abstracts
1 October 2003: Deadline for submission of full working papers
If you would like to attend/present a paper related to the themes of the Conference, please contact:
Amarjit Kaur
Professor of Economic History
School of Economics, University of New England,
Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
Tel: +61 2 6773 2874
Fax: + 61 2 6773 3596
E-mail: akaur@metz.une.edu.au