The impact of migrant workers on the functioning of labour markets and industrial relations: ESRC seminar series

A longitudinal study of A8/A2 migrant workers in the East of England, Year 1 and 2: Reviewing the methodology, questioning the policy outcomes Dr Deb Holman and Dr Claudia Schneider

Longitudinal Study of Migrant Workers in the East of England, 2008 - 2011 Introduction Methodology Findings Policy Environment Implications for the Study

Longitudinal Study of Migrant Workers in the East of England, 2008 - 2011 Commissioned by East of England Development

Agency and part-funded by European Social Fund

We were asked to examine: Factors that influence decisions on coming to UK and

length of stay Barriers to full participation in the regional economy Barriers to social inclusion in local communities How these alter over time

Methodological approach

Mixed methods research Combining quantitative with qualitative research

methods AND

Multi-method design The use of two or more quantitative or qualitative

methodsAND

Longitudinal (panel study approach)

Methodological approach

Survey – in three languages (2 years) Semi-structured interviews with European

citizens from A8/A2 countries (3 years) Case studies of European citizens from

A8/A2 countries Analysis of Polish blogs Diaries Semi-structured interviews with stakeholders

(years 2 and 3)

Methodological approach - advantages Mixed and multi-methods research: general

advantages (Tashakkori and Teddlie 2003) Offering a range of views and perspectives Providing better opportunities to answer

research question To provide better criteria to evaluate findings

Methodological approach - advantages Advantages specific to our research

Compatible findings of quant. and qual. data collection methods due to conceptual framework approach

Convergent findings from quant. and qual. research Quant. research provided scope and links between

variables Qual. research provided concrete illustrations and an

insight into reflection processes Longitudinal

To go beyond a one-off snapshot common to migration research

Reflecting fluidity and change in migration decisions

Methodological approach - limitations Mixed methods

Survey over two years, interviews over three years Issues regarding comparison

Retention Vouchers as incentives for participation Survey low participation of participants in year 2 (38%) Interviews - (relatively small) loss of participants Typical for panel studies, intensified by migrants’ mobility

Multi-methods (qualitative) Interviews with European citizens – retention Diaries (+ online discussion forum and one day information event

to support research process): lack of engagement Analysis of Polish blogs: snapshot approach; identifying themes

Methodological approach - limitations Longitudinal approach

Not a ‘perfect’ panel study Qualitative analysis of interviews with

European citizens based on identification of themes

Next level of analysis (aim for academic publication): linking themes more systematically and building an overall theory on decision making of length of stay

Findings of year 2 of longitudinal study Less ambiguity regarding intentions of length of stay Longer stay than initially anticipated Relative low impact of recession on length of stay Renewed emphasis on social factors affecting

length of stay Relevance of economic, financial, educational,

financial and family opportunities in the UK

Findings of year 2 of longitudinal study Relevance of transnationalism – positive or very

positive perception of the UK (wider social, economic and political situation) relative to perceptions of country of origin

Shift and achievement of goals reflecting a longer or indefinite stay

The ambitious, determined and achieving migrant

Main barriers in the UK: Non recognition of skills, language and the media

Policy Environment

Project developed as the presence of migrant workers from new European countries living and working in the UK was increasingly coming under question

As numbers rose, questions and assertions posed by various commentators rose too: their net economic contribution, threatened overload of local services, housing and health, claims they would drive down wages and reduce job options for native populations, perceived lawlessness, and so on (see migration myths)

Policy Environment

Policy debates dominated by statistics/failures of Unanticipated consequences/ policy initially sluggish Growth in initiatives; for example - ESOL, NARIC,

Gangmaster Licencing Authority, transQual, Migrant Gateway (later MyUKinfo.com). Gaps remain plus continuing reductions in funding.

Policy defensiveness; recessionary tremors; latter stages, ‘dead-duck’ Labour administration

Thus, research focused on a highly mobile population group, but this was set in an increasingly turbulent policy environment.

European and National Policy Accession Treaties, 2003 and 2005 Free Movement of Persons Directive (2004/38/EC)

Accession (Immigration and Worker Registration) Regulations 2004 (establishing the workers registration scheme for A8 nationals in the UK) – restrictions apply to 30.4.11

A2 Worker Authorization Scheme – restrictions apply to 31.12.11, but could be extended

Full EEA rights from these points (?)

European and National Policy Treaty rights re permanent residence: A8 nationals and

their families can be eligible for permanent residence once they have exercised their treaty rights for five years (post May 2004).

Immigration (EEA) Regulations, 2006 (treaty rights to residence on a conditional basis)

Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2009 (section 55, UKBA safeguarding duty in respect of children)

MAC (Home Office) and MIF (DCLG)

Regional Governance/Changes (Relevant to Migrant Worker Agenda) Government Offices (GO), established 1994

(announced 2010 to be abolished March 2012)

Local Government Association (LGA), established 1997

Regional Development Agencies Act, 1998 (announced 2010 to be abolished March 2012)

Regional Assembly (Preparations) Act, 2003

Regional Governance/Changes (Relevant to Migrant Worker Agenda) Local Area Agreements (LAAs), 2004

Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) - accelerated 2006, Local Government White Paper re non-stat partnerships ‘joining up’ public services; and various other white papers and guidelines (coalition announcements on future?)

Migration Impact Fund, 2008 – distributed via GO (scrapped August 2010: impact on East of England -rural localities, in particular - with increasing numbers of new arrivals from Lithuania and Latvia 2009/2010)

Regional Governance/Changes (Relevant to Migrant Worker Agenda) Regional Assemblies, abolished in 2010, prior to change

of government (e.g. Eastern Region: East of England Local Government Association assumes EERA’s functions)

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) – sub-regional bodies - to replace RDAs from April 2012 with some functions transferred to DCLG (and regional Growth Fund 1.4 billion running over three years)

= Displacement of regional focus for economic activity

Eastern Region – Migrant Worker Policy Network Strategic Migration Partnership (‘tiered regional network’) – one of

twelve, funded by UKBA, established 2000, role expanded to MWs, 2007 - working with EEDA, latterly EELGA, linking up to LAAs and LSP strategies and MAFs – e.g. see PSA 21/Cohesion

(see Migrant Worker Steering Group – MWSG, EEDA/EELGA)

Multi-agency Forums (MAFs): community, statutory, voluntary (e.g. Cambridgeshire Migrant Workers Forum - links to LAAs and LSP strategies, and SMP, MWSG)

EELGA – No Recourse to Public Funds Group (NRPF) set up 2010

Eastern Region – Migrant Worker Policy Network Regional Migrant Workers Steering Group: EEDA,

EELGA, voluntary/community groups, employers’ representatives

MW support organisations: e.g. – Mobile Europeans Take Action (META, advice and support) at Keystone DT, Norfolk/Suffolk (community development trust); Community Action Dacorum, Herts (responsible for earlier MINEM project); Polish British Integration Centre, Bedford – established by A8 nationals

Migrant Worker Champions within EEDA, LAs, voluntary sector and community organisations 

Eastern Region – Migrant Worker Policy Network: Concerns 2011 - ongoing work; however, funding issues (loss of

MIF, EEDA, ?future UKBA funding) destabilising network Removal of transitional arrangements May 2011 and

possibly December 2011, changed status to EEA, justification for cessation of A8/A2 related funding?

LEPs not fully operational until 2012, but no obvious remit for migrant workers, reduction in funding, no remit for management of EU funding (DCLG)

Regionally collective action undermined (not just in relation to migrant workers!)

Impacts on the Research – Progress and Publication Recession Pre-government change – MWSG (for research

commissioners) enthusiastic about report 2 findings and recommendations

Pre-electoral purdah delays publication and prevents press release

Period of uncertainty raises concerns about the capacity for policy action at regional level

Change of government – EEDA’s abolition is assured

Impacts on the Research – Progress and Publication Report 2 is given little exposure – low key press release

on EEDA site (however, it is used in response to a MAC consultation)

Staff turnover: EEDA project manager (MW champion) changes role; new project manager subsequently leaves in 2011; 2011 a third project manager

BIS scrutiny

Year 3 Concerns

Report 3 almost complete with better retention of ‘mobile’ population group interviewees than anticipated at year 1, contrasting with loss of ‘stable’ commissioning body, unanticipated at year 1.

Destination of Final Report? Policy impact of Final Report? Next steps? Contact: Deborah.holman@anglia.ac.uk;

Claudia.schneider@anglia.ac.uk Reports available at:

http://www.eeda.org.uk/migrant-workers.asp