Regulating migration to Australia and back to the Philippines: Applying a ‘diaspora strategies’ framework |
| |
| Authors: | Justin Peñafiel |
| |
| Affiliation: | Sydney Law School, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| |
| Abstract: | This paper examines circular labour migration between Australia and the Philippines by bringing Australian immigration policies and Philippine diaspora strategies under the same analytical framework. An extensive Philippine bureaucracy regulates migrants at each stage of the circular migration cycle, and as a sending state it has an interest in migrants staying temporarily in host countries such as Australia. The requirement to return home at the end of an overseas work contract compels migrants to remain attached to the sending state, their homeland, and return subsequently. However, Australia is allowing a route for temporary migrants to apply for permanent residency while in the host country. This has implications for sending states that rely on migrant ties to the homeland. The paper argues that analysing the intersections between the themes of migration, development and diaspora strategies reveals the multiple meanings of temporariness during migration and in migration studies. It questions whether associating temporariness with precariousness and marginalization is an accurate representation of the complex conditions underpinning circular labour migration. |
| |
| Keywords: | Australia development diasporas circular labour migration Philippines temporary |
|
|
