An investigation of the employment, unemployment and earnings experience of male immigrants in England

This thesis investigates the employment, unemployment and earnings experience of male immigrants in England using data from the Quarterly Labour Force Surveys of the United Kingdom which were undertaken between December 1992 and November 1994. After outlining some theoretical developments in the economics of migration, in particular the importance of self-selection, and surveying the recent empirical evidence, concerning international labour migration to the industrialised countries, the characteristics of the whole male population are examined using descriptive statistics. The sample consists of those resident in England, aged 25-64. These characteristics are then compared with those males who are economically active (according to International Labour Office definitions). Particular attention is given to the variation in the year of immigration and country of birth amongst the foreign born, and the differences between the ethnic white and ethnic non-white populations.;The employment adjustment of foreign-born males to the English labour market is then examined, using Chiswick's (1982) model. Hypotheses concerning the impact of education, potential labour market experience, years since migration and country of birth on the employment rate are investigated using logistic regression analysis. A similar study is also undertaken of the unemployment experience of foreign born males, using both the International Labour Office definition and the official government measure. Predicted percentage probabilities, calculated for individuals with average group characteristics, clarify the separate impact of each variable upon the employment and unemployment prospects of males in England.;Finally, selectivity corrected earnings functions are estimated, controlling for potential bias in both the employment decision and from the non-reporting of wage information. Importantly, the returns to schooling and to potential experience are separated into those received in the country of origin and those obtained after immigration. The country of birth is shown to influence the earnings performance amongst both the ethnic minorities and the immigrants.