By: Farzana Nayani
The explosion of communication media and efficient transportation systems, coupled with the pushes and pulls of moving across borders, have caused substantial increases in international labor mobility and immigration.
Although the reasons for migration vary due to the multitude of economic, political and social reasons, one common question remains: how to best integrate these populations? Widespread discussions about what policies will best guide the flow of migrants between countries are visible in today’s prominent headlines discussing “boat people”, “paths to citizenship” and “fair immigration reform”.
Immigration is definitely not favored by all; ongoing hotly contested topics such as the introduction of points-based immigration systems in Europe, or the building of fences within North America are a testament to the variety of opinion within this debate.
Whatever side of the fence you stand on (no pun intended!), it is important to recognize that immigration and migration is a real issue that is reshaping the landscape. Over the past decade, global immigration has had a profound impact on the demographic picture around the world.
Some facts:
The total number of international migrants, in the United States was 38.3 million, followed by Russia with 12 million, Germany with 10.1 million, France with 6.5 million, Saudi Arabia with 6.4 million, and Canada with 6.1 million, in 2005. (Source: United Nations)
The foreign-born make up approximately 12.5 percent of the total population in the United States, with the top four countries of birth of foreign-born individuals being Mexico, the Philippines, China, and India. (Source: The Migration Policy Institute)
As of December 2006, the Philippine government estimates the total number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) to be 8.2 million, which equals nearly 25 percent of the total labor force and 9 percent of the nation’s total population. Over 40% of these workers moved to the Middle East, and 20% to Asia. (Source: Philippine Overseas Employment Administration)
According to the most recent United Kingdom census, the top countries of origin of the foreign-born population living in the UK are: Ireland, India, Pakistan, and Germany. (Source: United Kingdom National Statistics)
How does this translate to your own environment? How can you better approach diversity?
Be informed. It is important to be aware of the local, regional, and national sentiments toward immigration. Knowing issues in the news and the concerns and perspectives of your clients, employees, and colleagues will help you understand their viewpoints in conversations and meetings.International employees. Be sensitive to the needs of individuals coming to your organization from other countries, including: cultural adjustment, visa requirements, moving the family, settling into a new home, transportation, and communication. Assistance with these necessities is invaluable and will help make the transition smoother.Join Networks. Encourage participation in community activities and networks that support individuals, both formally and informally. Groups such as “hometown associations” allow immigrants to maintain close ties with their countries and cities of origin.New Markets. With these demographic shifts, it is important to reassess the value of your services and products in the global marketplace. Do your leadership, vision and mission address these new trends?Create a positive climate for diversity. Promote a sense of inclusion and respect for diversity through culture awareness workshops and team-building initiatives. Fostering a sense of engagement in each other’s culture and personal history is a way of creating a sense of belonging for everyone.
With the processes of globalization at work, it is important to continue to be conscious of immigration trends and prepare to navigate through the many different impacts of migration.
Contact our offices at: eds@executivediversity.com for more resources or to schedule a workshop on incorporating diversity into your workplace.
An EDS Associate, Farzana Nayani is a facilitator and trainer on the topics of intercultural communication, cultural awareness training, global relocation, and the Asian-Pacific region. She has published research on the topics of cross-cultural programs and multiracial communities.
Calendar of Events
October 22-26, SIETAR (Society for Intercultural Educators, Trainers and Researchers) congress in Granada, Spain. Expect to immerse yourself in a unique congress experience, vibrant through the variety of cultures, perspectives and professions represented. Session tracks are tailored to your professional needs as a business leader, human resource manager, academic researcher, professor, teacher, experienced or novice interculturalist, NGO professional or government representative. Both Donna Stringer and Elmer Dixon (EDS President and Vice President respectively, will be making presentations with international colleagues at this Congress. For more information visit: www.sietarglobal2008.org.
People:
Independent Lens, takes us on a voyage of “The New Americans” as we learn about 5 people coming to America. Here are a few of those stories:
The Palestinian Bride, Naima Saadeh Abudayyeh -- Naima Saadeh is determined to leave the small town in the Israeli-occupied West Bank where she has lived her whole life. Like many young people, she wants to see more of the world. Naima is a progressive young woman with ambitions and El Jib is a provincial Muslim village. Read more.
The Ogoni Refugees: Israel and Ngozi Nwidor Barine Wiwa-Lawani -- The tent that Israel Nwidor, his wife Ngozi, and their two children have called home for two years is worn and drooping. "When the rain falls you go outside, you're holding the ropes so that the place will not collapse," Israel explains. The small tent, one of hundreds crammed onto a muddy plain in a refugee camp in Benin, West Africa, has no running water, no bathroom and mats on the dirt floor that serve as beds. Read more.
The Indian Technical Worker: Anjan Bachu -- In the crowded city of Bangalore, India—known as the country's Silicon Valley—Anjan Bacchu, a successful computer programmer, is planning to apply for a job in the U.S.
"I have about five years of experience in India," he says. "It started to dawn on me that the scope of my career would be helped if I take it to the highest peak. I’d like to become a kind of expert in all the technologies so that I can use it when I come back to India. Read more.
New at EDS
Congratulations go out to Susan Gore and Ann Wigodsky, for becoming "legalized" on September 2, 2008! Susan says, it was a small ceremony this time around, as they had a large church wedding with 250 of their best friends 10 years ago! Here’s to many more years to come!
Kai Cee White, EDS’s Information and Financial Services Manager celebrated her 5th year at EDS. Kai Cee has been an outstanding employee who demonstrates our values of service and partnership. Congratulations, Kai Cee—and here’s to another five!
Dr. Donna Stringer, President of EDS, has collaborated with three other women to edit a book entitled: Voices for Change: Women's Words to Politicians. Women from every region of the United States have contributed to this timely discourse from the most powerful subsection of the American electorate. Each contributor was asked to identify a single word that represents her hope or vision for the United States and then to write an essay explaining why she selected that word. The book is intended to raise issues of concern to women in this historical election year. The book will be released in July, 2008. Watch our next newsletter for how to order.
How much you know about immigration in America? PBS Quiz.
A Profile of the Low-Wage Immigrant Workforce, from the Urban Institute, found:
- Immigrants compose an increasingly large share of the U.S. labor force and a growing share of low-wage workers. Immigrants are 11 percent of all U.S. residents, but 14 percent of all workers and 20 percent of low-wage workers.
- Immigrants' hourly wages are lower on average than those for natives, and nearly half earn less than 200 percent of the minimum wage—versus one-third of native workers.
- Immigrant workers are much more likely than natives to drop out of high school (30 versus 8 percent), and are far more likely to have less than a ninth-grade education (18 versus 1 percent).
- Three-fourths of all U.S. workers with less than a ninth-grade education are immigrants.
- Nearly two-thirds of low-wage immigrant workers do not speak English proficiently, and most of these workers have had little formal education.
- Two of every five low-wage immigrant workers are undocumented. Labor force participation is higher among undocumented men than among men who are legal immigrants or U.S. citizens.
- While the low-wage native labor force is mainly female (59 percent), men dominate the low-wage immigrant labor force (56 percent).
- Even though they are less likely to participate in the labor force, female immigrant workers are better educated and more likely to be in the United States legally than male immigrants.
- Foreign-born women earn substantially lower wages than either foreign-born men or native women.
- Although immigrants dominate a few low-wage occupations—farming and private household workers—immigrants in these occupations represent a small share of all low-wage foreign-born workers.
(Brief No. 4 in a series) "Immigrant Families and Workers: Facts and Perspectives" by Randolph Capps, Michael E. Fix, Jeffrey S. Passel, Jason Ost, and Dan Perez-Lopez was published on the web by the Urban Institute and can be found at: www.urban.org.
Quotes to live by...
ANCESTORS IN THE AMERICAS presents the untold history and contemporary legacy of early Asian immigrants to the Americas , from the 1700s to the 1900s. The following quotes are a glimpse of the early Chinese immigrants. Learn more.
"As it turned out, California 's economic development in the 19th century could not have been accomplished without the Chinese. And I can say this unequivocally." - Professor L. Ling-chi Wang
”People always say, well, the Chinese always cling to their culture, that they never assimilated, they never really learned about America... but in terms of resisting discrimination against them, they very much assimilated. From the early 1850s, they started making use of the American judicial system when such a system did not exist in China ." - Professor Sucheng Chan
"It's hard to think of a single law perceived by the Chinese as discriminatory, that they did not challenge in court." - Professor Charles McClain
"And so we basically extended the promise of the American dream to a much wider range of human beings than the founding fathers may have had in mind." - Professor Sucheng Chan
Reel Reviews
QMR's Latest Training video on Gen Y receives Telly Award & 4-stars from Training media review!
AWESOME! is a two-part DVD-based training program. Part 1, A New Generation at Work, is a montage of 24 GenY employees who have a diverse range of occupations. They share how they see themselves and what makes them tick.
Part 1, “A New Generation @ Work”, presents 24 Gen Y employees from a wide range of occupations who share what makes them tick. (10 minutes)
Part 2, “Engaging Gen Y”, introduces 5 managers who present their views on how to help Millennials succeed. You'll be enlightened, energized and entertained! (10 minutes)
Support Materials: A comprehensive facilitation package accompanies the program and includes a facilitator's guide, PowerPoint slides, reproducible handouts and program transcripts.
Learn more: http://www.qmr.com/products/awesome/
A group of women, including EDS' President Donna Stringer, recently came together to independently produce a book of women's voices: Voices of Change: Women's Words to Politicians. This book includes essays from women in every region of the United States about their dreams and hopes for the country. At this critical political time for the United States, these narratives speak to politicians from the most powerful segment of the electorate: women.
“It is a thoughtful collection of snapshots....highlighting real challenges facing our country. Look inside and feel what is real,” writes Patricia Cassiday.
The book can be purchased from either Amazon or Barnes & Noble. The goal is to place a copy in the hands of every Congressional delegate and candidate. Royalties from the sale of these books will be used to purchase additional copies to donate to Congressional delegates. Help us get women's voices to those people who are affecting our lives through public policy by purchasing, reading, and passing this book along to others.
Feedback & Referrals
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