Transferability of Human Capital and Immigrant Assimilation: An Analysis for Germany

This paper investigates the transferability of human capital across countries and the contribution of imperfect human capital portability to the explanation of the immigrant-native wage gap. Using data for West Germany, our results reveal that, overall, education and labor market experience accumulated in the home countries of the immigrants receive significantly lower returns than human capital obtained in Germany. We further find evidence for heterogeneity in the returns to human capital of immigrants across origin countries. Finally, imperfect human capital transferability appears to be a major factor in explaining the wage differential between natives and immigrants.assimilation, immigration, rate of return, human capital

Competition Policy and Regulation in Ports and Shipping

The country's archipelagic configuration requires an efficient maritime transport infrastructure composed of ports and shipping for growth and socioeconomic integration. This paper examines competition policy and the regulatory framework of the port and shipping sectors. It assesses the policies and programs of the government in promoting competition in these sectors and recommends areas for policy and regulatory reform. After a brief description of the analytical underpinnings of competition policy and regulation, the paper reviews the present state of competition and regulation in Philippine ports and interisland shipping to identify emerging issues that call for policy action. It provides specific recommendations for policy and regulatory reform.competition policy, regulatory framework, maritime transport, ports and inter-island shipping, market contestability

Housing Policy: Developing a Market-based Housing Finance System

With housing policy declared as a priority policy concern of the Estrada administration, it is only logical to expect that an effective and sustainable housing finance system to put more teeth into such pronouncement is set in place. Is there such a system? What are its prospects? Are there alternative schemes?microfinance, housing finance

Transferability of Human Capital and Immigrant Assimilation – An Analysis for Germany

This paper investigates the transferability of human capital across countries and the contribution of imperfect human capital portability to the explanation of the immigrant-native wage gap. Using data for West Germany, our results reveal that, overall, education and labor market experience accumulated in the home countries of the immigrants receive signicantly lower returns than human capital obtained in Germany. We further fi nd evidence for heterogeneity in the returns to human capital of immigrants across origin countries. Finally, imperfect human capital transferability appears to be a major factor in explaining the wage diff erential between natives and immigrants.Human capital; rate of return; immigration; assimilation

Analyzing the Labor Market Activity of Immigrant Families in Germany

This paper analyzes whether immigrant families facing credit constraints adopt a family investment strategy wherein,upon arrival,an immigrant spouse invests in host country-specific human capital while the other partner works to finance the family’s current consumption. Using data for West Germany, we do not find evidence for such a specialization strategy.We further examine the labor supply and wage assimilation of families whose members immigrated together relative to families whose members immigrated sequentially. Our estimates indicate that this differentiation is relevant for the analysis of the labor market activities of migrant households.International migration, assimilation, family investment hypothesis

The International Economic Environment and the Philippine Economy

Taking its cue from other Asian countries, the Philippines has joined several international trade organizations that paved the way for economic openness and integration. What these entail in the Philippine economy is the focus for this month’s issue.globalization, economic openness, macroeconomic policy, economic integration

Local Governance and the Challenges of Economic Distress: The Case of Iligan City

Trends in economic development influence population outcomes in an area. Increasing economic opportunities that are typically linked to industrialization enhance the attractiveness of a location and result to population increases. The inverse of this process could also be true, that is, an economic distress could hit an area and force its residents to leave and seek better forts. Iligan City experienced rapid urbanization for almost five decades due to industrialization. However, the City saw remarkable outward migration in the latter half of the 1990s. This out-migration phenomenon was strongly attributed to the economic difficulties which endured late last decade. The closure of the National Steel Corporation, Iligan Citys main employer and biggest taxpayer, in particular aggravated the economic condition of the City. This case study describes the economic challenges that altered population pattern and welfare of Iligan City. The paper also presents the interventions that the local government embarked on to minimize the impact of the economic crisis including policy changes and shifts in development strategies

Transferability of human capital and immigrant assimilation: an analysis for Germany

This paper investigates the transferability of human capital across countries and the contribution of imperfect human capital portability to the explanation of the immigrant-native wage gap. Using data for West Germany, our results reveal that, overall, education and labor market experience accumulated in the home countries of the immigrants receive significantly lower returns than human capital obtained in Germany. We further find evidence for heterogeneity in the returns to human capital of immigrants across origin countries. Finally, imperfect human capital transferability appears to be a major factor in explaining the wage differential between natives and immigrants

Competition Policy and Regulation in Ports and Shipping

The Philippines is an archipelago of approximately 7,107 islands. It has a long coastline extending to 235,973 square kilometers which is longer than that of the United States (UNESCAP 2002b). The countrys archipelagic configuration requires an efficient maritime transport infrastructure composed of ports and shipping for growth and socioeconomic integration. The integration of peripheral islands to the urban economic nodes such as Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao and General Santos and the diffusion of investments and economic activities fundamentally count on an efficient road and maritime transport network. This paper examines competition policy and the regulatory framework of the port and shipping sectors. It assesses the policies and programs of the government in promoting competition in these sectors and recommends areas for policy and regulatory reform. After a brief description of the analytical underpinnings of competition policy and regulation the paper reviews the present state of competition and regulation in Philippine ports and inter-island shipping to identify emerging issues that call for policy action. It provides specific recommendations for policy and regulatory reform

Analyzing the Labor Market Activity of Immigrant Families in Germany

This paper analyzes whether immigrant families facing credit constraints adopt a family investment strategy wherein,upon arrival,an immigrant spouse invests in host country-specific human capital while the other partner works to finance the family's current consumption. Using data for West Germany, we do not find evidence for such a specialization strategy.We further examine the labor supply and wage assimilation of families whose members immigrated together relative to families whose members immigrated sequentially. Our estimates indicate that this differentiation is relevant for the analysis of the labor market activities of migrant households