Do guest worker programs give firms too much power?

Artikel

Guest worker programs allow migrants to work abroad legally, and offer benefits to workers, firms, and nations. Guest workers are typically authorized to work only in specific labor markets, and are sponsored by, and must work for, a specific firm, making it difficult for guest workers to switch employers. Critics argue that the programs harm host country citizens and permanent residents ("existing workers"), and allow employers to exploit and abuse vulnerable foreign-born workers. Labor market institutions, competitive pressures, and firm strategy contribute to the effects of migration that occur through guest worker programs.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Journal: IZA World of Labor ; ISSN: 2054-9571 ; Year: 2021 ; Bonn: Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Monopsony; Segmented Labor Markets ; Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers ; Job, Occupational, and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion ; International Migration
• Subject: guest workers ; migration ; firms ; monopsony ; mobility

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Norlander, Peter
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2021

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.15185/izawol.484
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/260718
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:45 AM CET