Bridges or Barriers? The Long-Term Earnings Effects of Immigrants’ Early Labor Market Adversities

Presenter: Associate Professor Rupa Banerjee
Ted Rogers School of Business Management
Ryerson University

Abstract
This paper utilizes a life course approach to investigate the long-term effects of immigrants’ early adverse labor market experiences in the host country on their earnings. We estimate the effects of joblessness, part-time status, and occupational mismatch during the first four years in Canada on immigrant men’s and women’s earnings trajectories over the following 10 years. The results indicate that part-time employment has a significant negative effect on long-term earnings trajectories for both men and women immigrants. Male immigrants who are occupationally mismatched in the medium-term also face a wage penalty. Being jobless early on is relatively less damaging to later wages. We conclude the paper with a discussion of implications for policy and practice.

Biography
Dr. Rupa Banerjee is Associate Professor of Human Resource Management and Organizational Behaviour. Her primary research interest lies in the employment integration of new immigrants to Canada. She is particularly interested in the institutional barriers facing new immigrants in the Canadian labour market. In addition, she is interested in workplace diversity and ethno-racial discrimination, particularly as it applies to second-generation immigrants. Dr. Banerjee’s research has appeared in such journals as International Migration Review, Ethnic and Racial Studies, Journal of International Migration and Integration, Journal of Labor Research and Relations Industrielles/Industrial Relations.

Light lunch will be served so please advise of any dietary requirements.