Case Study Countries: Philippines and Malaysia
Causes of Emigration and Labor Migration
- Between 1980 and 2005, millions of Asians left their home countries due to economic needs, limited opportunities and expanding global labor markets.
- High unemployment pushed many workers to seek foreign employment in the Middle East and Asia.
- Wage gaps between Asia and developed economies encouraged outward migration.
- Governments promoted overseas labor to gain foreign currency through remittances.
- Skilled workers pursued better professional prospects abroad, especially in healthcare.
- Rapid globalization expanded recruitment networks for Asian migrants.
Case study
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), 1980–2005
Causes and Drivers
- Economic stagnation increased domestic financial pressure on families.
- The Philippine government promoted labor export as national policy.
- Middle Eastern oil economies created vast labor demand in construction and services.
- Filipino workers sought higher incomes than available at home.
- Recruitment agencies facilitated international job placement.
Consequences and National Influence
- Remittances became a major source of national revenue.
- Families experienced improved economic security from overseas earnings.
- Long-term social separation created emotional strain for many households.
- OFWs shaped global perceptions of Filipino professional reliability.
- Labor migration became central to national economic planning.
Definition
Remittance
Money workers send home from abroad.
Definition
Labor export policy
Government strategy encouraging citizens to work overseas.
Immigration, Economic Growth and Regional Labor Demand
- Some Asian states became immigration destinations due to rapid industrial growth and shortages of low-wage labor.
- Malaysia recruited foreign workers to fill labor gaps in manufacturing and plantations.
- Singapore relied on migrant labor for construction and domestic services.
- Demand for cheap labor increased due to industrial expansion across Southeast Asia.
- Employers preferred migrant labor because of lower wage costs.
- Immigration shaped national debates over identity and social integration.
Case study
Foreign Workers in Malaysia’s Economy (1980–2005)
Origins and Patterns
- Malaysia’s industrial boom created labor shortages in key sectors.
- Migrants arrived from Indonesia, Bangladesh and the Philippines.
- Palm oil, construction and electronics relied heavily on foreign workers.
- Relaxed recruitment rules expanded labor supply rapidly.
- Economic planners supported migration to maintain national growth.
Effects and Social Dynamics
- Migrant labor lowered production costs for Malaysian industries.
- Social tension increased due to cultural and economic competition.
- Government policies tightened immigration controls periodically.
- Migrant remittances supported families in sending countries.
- Immigration contributed to Malaysia’s sustained economic success.
Definition
Labor migration
Movement of workers seeking employment across borders.
Definition
Work permit system
Government-issued authorization for foreign workers.
Social, Cultural and Demographic Impact of Migration
- Immigration and emigration reshaped social structures, cultural identities and demographic trends across Asia.
- Migrant communities contributed cultural diversity to host societies.
- Urban centers expanded due to increased migrant settlement.
- Return migrants brought new skills and global perspectives back home.
- Gender roles changed as more women migrated for domestic work.
- Migration influenced national debates about identity and cultural change.
Common Mistake
- Overgeneralizing migration patterns without recognizing regional variation.
- Ignoring the role of government policy in shaping labor flows.
- Assuming migration produced only positive or negative effects, rather than both.
Exam technique
- Identify your two chosen countries clearly in the introduction.
- Connect economic motives to social and demographic changes.
- Use case studies to provide strong historical evidence.
Theory of Knowledge
- How does cultural identity evolve when populations move across borders?
- Do economic choices outweigh emotional costs in migration decisions?
- How do different perspectives shape interpretations of migrant labor?
Self review
- Assess the causes and consequences of emigration from one Asian country between 1980 and 2005.
- Examine the impact of immigration on the economic and social development of one Asian state.
- To what extent did globalization shape migration patterns in Asia?
