This paper examines the relationship between number and rights of low-skilled migrant workers in high-income countries. It identifies a trade-off: Countries with large numbers offer them relatively few rights, while smaller migrants are typically associated more rights. We discuss number-vs.-rights trade-off theory practice as an example competing goods, raising question whether or should get higher priority. There is no easy universal answer, but avoiding explicit discussion issue – has...

Abstract This paper explores the nature and determinants of illegality in migrant labour markets. It conceptualises various legal ‘spaces (il)legality’ employment migrants, perceptions functions these spaces from points view employers, state. Our theoretical approach goes beyond notion that is ‘produced’ by state, recognises agency some migrants employers have vis‐à‐vis state's migration frameworks. Drawing on quantitative qualitative interviews with East European UK, analysis UK...

Abstract This introduction to the Population, Space and Place Special Issue ‘Researching illegality labour migration: research/policy nexus’, considers what is meant by ‘illegal immigration’. of key importance both policy academic discussion, contradictions debates are evidenced in terminology (‘illegal’, ‘irregular’, ‘undocumented’, etc.) deployed. The paper briefly reviews current literature situates issue's contributions within this. It concludes drawing attention migrant agency its...

Abstract Many of the ‘essential workers’ during Covid-19 pandemic are migrants, playing an important role for continued functioning basic services – notably health services, social care, and food supply chains. We argue that this should be taken into account when assessing impacts migrant workers in design labour migration related public policies. Existing studies highlight how employment essential is shaped by interests employers, sectoral policies, national institutions. Considerations...

Abstract This article proposes a new approach to the political theory of migration: ethics migration policy dilemmas. The core this lies in identifying specific dilemmas central relevance makers and other stakeholders field, then submitting these systematic theoretical analysis. We conceptualize as involving hard choices between competing moral goals distinguish kind dilemma from types ethical choices, such conflicting means, dirty hands, feasibility, politics argue that, besides enlarging...

The Member States of the European Union (EU) have been engaged in highly divisive debates about whether and how to reform rules for 'free movement' EU workers their access national welfare states. While some countries argued new restrictions on workers' benefits, many others opposed policy change. What explains States' different positions this issue? Existing accounts focused populist political parties media. In contrast, article provides a theoretical institutional analysis cross-country...

This paper analyzes how and why labor immigration policies in high-income countries vary across political regimes (democracies versus autocracies) types of capitalism (liberal coordinated market economies). I investigate these policy variations using a unique data set the characteristics 77 33 countries. Compared with democracies, programs autocracies are characterized by greater openness to immigration, more restrictions migrants' rights, stronger trade-offs between rights. With regard...

The protection of asylum seekers and refugees has become one the most politically divisive issues in European Union, yet there been a lack research on public preferences for refugee policies. This article analyzes which policies Europeans prefer why. We advance theoretical framework that explains how use limits conditions enable individuals to resolve conflicting humanitarian perceived national interest logics. Using an original conjoint experiment eight countries, we demonstrate provide but...

This paper discusses why and how public attitudes should matter in regulating asylum refugee protection rich democracies, with a focus on Europe. Taking realistic approach, I argue that views constitute soft feasibility constraint effective sustainable policies towards seekers refugees, failure to take seriously understand the of host country’s population can have very damaging effect migrants’ rights practice. Bringing together insights from political philosophy, politics asylum, research...

Abstract This paper explores the impacts of rights migrant workers ('migrant rights') on human development actual and potential migrants, their families, other people in migrants' countries origin. A key feature is its consideration how affect both capability to move work higher income (i.e. access low‐income labor markets higher‐income countries) capabilities while living working abroad. The suggests that there may be a trade‐off between number some socio‐economic low‐skilled admitted...

This article examines the key ethical questions in design of labor immigration programs. We propose a two-dimensional matrix space that isolates number different frameworks on basis degree consequentialism they allow and moral standing accord to noncitizens. argue for rejection extreme criteria should guide national policymakers their choice application framework within subspace moderate To translate these "ethical guidelines" programs into policy practice, we advocate new types temporary...

Journal Article Economic research and labour immigration policy Get access Martin Ruhs *ESRC Centre on Migration, Policy Society (COMPAS), University of Oxford, e-mail: martin.ruhs@compas.ox.ac.uk Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Review Policy, Volume 24, Issue 3, Autumn 2008, Pages 403–426, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxrep/grn034 Published: 01 October 2008