East-European immigrants responding to the recession in Britain: is there a trade-off between unemployment and over-qualification?

Publication type

Journal Article

Authors

Publication date

June 1, 2016

Summary:

Most studies demonstrating the vulnerability of labour migrants
following the recession have focused on unemployment. This article
examines how the labour market performance of East-European workers in
the U.K. has been affected by the recession by focussing on four
possible employment outcomes: unemployment, self-employment,
over-qualification and part-time jobs. By showing the relatively low
rates of unemployment amongst East-European migrants, which have become
even lower following the recession, it argues that the vulnerability of
immigrants in periods of economic downturn cannot always be solely
measured in higher rates of immigrant unemployment. Labour migrants may
be prompted to take jobs (any jobs) below their skills and
qualifications, thus suggesting a ‘trade-off’ between unemployment and
over-qualification.

Published in

Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies

Volume and page numbers

Volume: 42 , p.1 -1

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2016.1166040

ISSN

1369183

Subjects

#523584

News

Latest findings, new research

Publications search

Search all research by subject and author

Podcasts

Researchers discuss their findings and what they mean for society

Projects

Background and context, methods and data, aims and outputs

Events

Conferences, seminars and workshops

Survey methodology

Specialist research, practice and study

Taking the long view

ISER's annual report

Themes

Key research themes and areas of interest