Examining service providers’ perspectives of barriers and facilitators for immigrant women seeking employment / There are multi-faceted barriers that shape the employment trajectories and economic outcomes of immigrant women in the Canadian labour market. In response to the barriers that immigrant women experience, the Federal government, Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), have initiated funding towards employment programs for immigrant women. This critical ethnographic study examines the perspectives of ten service providers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), in order to identify the barriers and facilitators immigrant women experience within employment services when trying to obtain secure well-paid employment. The data analysis revealed three major themes: the role of funding for employment programs and settlement services, the categorization of immigrant women by skills; and the application of individualized services to meet the needs of immigrant women. Using an intersectional lens, my research highlights that immigrant women experience various challenges to finding, obtaining, and maintaining employment due to the intersection of their social location (e.g. race, gender, immigration status, language, culture, and religion). Service providers mitigate some of these barriers to secure well-paying employment by providing individualized services to meet differential needs of immigrant women. While this approach has led to success in matching some immigrant women to jobs that align with their field of expertise and career goals, service providers are restricted in their ability to meet the full needs of immigrant women due to underfunding and structural barriers. My research reveals that employment services, immigration processes, and labour market practices can (re)produce and maintain the marginalization of immigrant women in the labour market. This paper concludes with some policy recommendations for immigrant-serving employment services and social work practice. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW)

Diese Arbeit, die auf persönlichen Erfahrungen als Asylbewerber in Deutschland basiert, fokussiert sich auf die sozioökonomische Integration von schwarzafrikanischen Asylbewerber:innen, d.h. mit einer Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 55 des deutschen Asylgesetzes, und von geduldeten Migrant:innen, d.h. mit einem Duldungsstatus nach § 60a des deutschen Aufenthaltsgesetzes. Die Arbeit untersucht ihre Teilnahme an deutschen Integrationskursen und ihren Zugang zu Arbeitserlaubnissen in den sechzehn Bundesländern, die von der Ausländerbehörde und der Bundesagentur für Arbeit streng kontrolliert werden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Personen einer wirtschaftlichen Tätigkeit nachgehen, um ihren Lebensunterhalt in Deutschland zu bestreiten als auch um Familienangehörige in ihren Heimatländern zu unterstützen. Methodisch bedient sich die Arbeit eines Methodenmix, der ethno-soziogeographische Instrumente zur Datenerhebung, -verarbeitung und -analyse einsetzt. Zwischen 2016 und Juni 2021 wurden zwanzig Einzelfallstudien, dreihundert halbstrukturierte Fragebögen, sechs Fokusgruppendiskussionen mit der Zielgruppe und deutschen Beamten des Gerichts und der Ausländerbehörde sowie zwei Experteninterviews mit Abgeordneten deutscher Parlamente durchgeführt. Zu den aufgedeckten wirtschaftlichen Aktivitäten gehören der Drogenhandel, das Ausliefern von Zeitungen, informeller Streetfood-Verkauf, Friseurhandwerk, der Handel und das Testen auf Corona. Da informelle (illegale, halblegale und kriminelle) Wirtschaftspraktiken als Einstieg in den Arbeitsmarkt und als Reaktion auf die begrenzten Möglichkeiten der deutschen Behörden häufig genutzt werden, schließt die Arbeit mit der Aufforderung an die politischen Entscheidungsträger, den derzeitigen sozioökonomischen Integrationsrahmen für diese beiden Kategorien von Migrant:innen in Deutschland dringend zu überdenken. / This thesis, based on personal experience as an asylum seeker in Germany, focuses on the socio-economic integration of Black African asylum seekers, i.e. with a residence permission § 55 of the German Asylum Act, as well as tolerated migrants, i.e. with a toleration status § 60a German Residence Act. The thesis sheds light on their participation in German integration courses and their access to work permits across the sixteen German states, which are subject to strict regulations by the Foreigner Registration Office and the Federal Office of Work. The findings reveal that individuals engage in economic activities to financially sustain themselves within the territory and also to support family members in their home countries. Methodically, the thesis employs mixed methods, utilizing ethno-sociogeographical tools for data acquisition, processing, and analysis. Between 2016 and June 2021, the thesis conducted twenty individual case studies, three hundred semi-structured questionnaires, two expert interviews with members of German parliaments, six focus group discussions with the target group and German officials from the court, the Foreigner registration office. The economic activities uncovered include drug dealing, newspaper delivery, informal street food selling, hairdressing, trading, and COVID-19 testing. As there is a massive use of informal economic practices (illegal, semi-legal, and criminal) as entry point to the job market and as a response to limited opportunities provided by the German authorities, the thesis concludes with a call to policymakers to urgently reconsider the current socio-economic integration framework for this two categories of migrants in Germany.

Unlike many other international instruments, accession to the WTO does not simply require the commitment of the government to sign and ratify the multilateral agreements. A country needs to make considerable legislative and administrative changes to comply with the standards of the WTO and its members to finalize the negotiation for accession. For governments with impure free market economy policy the challenges amplify. The government of Ethiopia publicly pronounces its adherence to the ideology of the developmental state. On the other hand the nucleus of WTO principles is progressive trade liberalization. Therefore, this dissertation tries to provide some reflection on the paradox created as a result of the divergence in priority between WTO principles and developmental state in the context of Ethiopian desire to join the organization. The research is an interdisciplinary work. The issues that will be discussed are not purely legal in their nature. They have legal, political and economic dimensions. And the main focus of the paper is on trade in services and foreign investment negotiation aspect of the accession. Furthermore the objective of the dissertation is to give some insight for policy makers about the challenges and opportunities that „Developmental State‟ ideology will pose in the accession process of Ethiopia to the WTO. The research is divided into five chapters. Chapter one gives introductory remarks about the concept of the developmental state and accession to the WTO. The limitations of the WTO accession process and an overview of the features of developmental state in the world and particularly in Ethiopia are also briefly discussed in the chapter. The origin and concept of developmental state in the world, in Africa and Ethiopia is discussed in some detail under chapter two. The chapter also tries to show the impact of developmental state policies in the laws of the country that are going to be deliberated in the process of accession. Chapter three is about accession to the WTO. In this chapter the requirements, benefits, challenges and procedures of accession are dealt in depth. The writer debates and tries to show the fact that the system is slowly shifting from rule based negotiation to power and precedent based negotiation. By analyzing the laws of Ethiopia that are inspired by the principles of developmental state against the legal and precedent requirements to join the WTO, I tried to correlate the findings of chapter two and three in chapter four. Specific strategies and advises on how to move the negotiation forward on certain areas are also outlined in this chapter. Finally, conclusion and my summarized recommendations are placed under chapter five. / Economics / LL.M (with specialization in International Economic Law)

Thesis MA (Political Science. International Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / This thesis is, in essence, a theoretically informed, qualitative study of an intermediate power coalition in international trade negotiations. More specifically, it critically evaluates the cooperation of India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The IBSA Dialogue Forum was established in 2003. This was also the year the three emerging countries first drew attention to their collective bargaining potential. First, they were instrumental in negotiating a waiver in the WTO that allowed for relaxed patent restrictions on the import of generic drugs for countries in the developing world facing health emergencies. Then, they also played a central role in the collapse of the WTO talks held in Cancun, 2003. This study looks at what IBSA aims to achieve in the WTO and then tries to establish whether it is possible for the initiative to achieve these aims (in the WTO). It asks, firstly, what kind of coalition IBSA forms in the WTO. Then, it asks whether it makes sense for India, Brazil and South Africa to form this type of coalition. Finally, it discusses some of the complexities involved in the three countries’ claim that it speaks for the “developing South”. The study makes use mainly of a neo-liberal institutionalist theoretical approach, while being open to constructive debate and critique from the reflective school. Ultimately, the study argues that the challenges that bind these countries also constrain each of them. The three countries might be emerging, but they are also developing countries with limited capacity that face serious developmental challenges. In addition, these countries of the South are situated in complex regional environments. In the WTO, IBSA aims to cement a coalition through processes that promote the cooperative dimensions of interaction and minimise conflictual ones. This innovative approach to cooperation does provide some hope. How they use their collective capacity will prove decisive. No doubt, successful cooperation will require hard work, especially as the coalition will have to deliver concrete results not only to domestic constituencies, but also to the developing world as a whole.

Mini-study project (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The processes of regionalism and regionalisation, of which a relatively high level is evident in the Indian Ocean Rim (lOR), that characterise today's global economy offer opportunities for economic growth and development to the mainly developing countries in the Indian Ocean Rim. The lOR has achieved the status of regional society which contributes towards the region actively articulating the interests of the member nations. The lesser-developed countries may well use this developing regionalisation in the lOR to combat its risk of marginalisation in the global order. Great diversity and disparity exist amongst lOR countries on levels of economic development, growth and openness, resulting in few countries achieving the major portion of the region's economic activities. This may complicate the development needs of the nation-states resulting in a low level of development uniformity. Such diversity poses a risk of polarised and unequal investment and development amongst member nations, and ultimately marginalisation in the global order. This does not support economic integration, but calls for economic co-operation to assist with economic development of the lOR. The lOR, as part of the global trading process, comprises a significant portion of the world's trade arising from the region and it presents a large market in the global economy. The lOR is further predominantly developing under the framework and rules of the WTO. Comparing the lOR-ARC with other regional organisations involving main global trading nations, it is evident that in trade volume and economic impact it is not comparable. However, the strategic importance of its energy resources and its locality in particular raises the prominence of the region in the global order. A low level of regional trade exists in the region resulting in the lOR countries being poor candidates for regional integration. However, it is significant to note that intra-regional trade in the lOR has over recent years grown significantly higher than its trade with the world. SA, as hegemon in Southern Africa, may gain development opportunities from its prominence in the lOR. The emerging African Union and NEPAD, however, are expected to receive higher priority amongst political decision makers than the lOR. The country's existing trade focus is with the developed North and it appears that the broader focus in the immediate future will be with mainly non-lOR countries. Variable geometry amongst the nations is common and developments amongst the region's numerous sub-regional groupings are leaning heavily towards economic integration into the future. A high level of institutionalisation has developed out of the role and activities of the lOR-ARC in the region. The IOR-ARC's principle of open regionalism promotes integration. The lOR-ARC, originally aimed at multi-sector cooperation as part of its focus on economic co-operation, is therefore expected to move towards economic integration into the future. When considering a broader perspective, it is evident that the lOR's readiness to embrace economic integration at this point is relatively low. Overall the focus within the lOR although currently focussing on economic cooperation, is expected to move towards economic integration, or neo-functional integration, into the medium to long term. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die prosesse van regionalisme en regionalisasie wat die hedendaagse globale ekonomie kenmerk en hulself manifesteer op relatiewe hoë vlak binne die Indiese Oseaan Randgebied (lOR), bied geleenthede vir ekonomiese groei en ontwikkeling aan die hoofsaaklik ontwikkelende lande in the lOR. Die lOR het die entiteit status van streeks-gemeenskap bereik wat dit in staat stelom by te dra om die lidlande se belange te artikuleer. Die minder-ontwikkelde lande mag egter hierdie ontwikkelende regionalisasie uitsluitlik gebruik om hul risiko tot marginalisasie in die globale orde te beperk. Hoë vlakke van diversiteit en dispariteit bestaan tussen die lOR lande in areas van ekonomiese ontwikkeling, groei en toeganklikheid, wat aanleiding gee dat 'n paar lande die oorgrote meerderheid ekonomiese aktiwiteite en bydrae lewer. Hierdie tendens mag egter lidlande se ontwikkelingsbehoeftes kompliseer wat lei tot 'n lae vlak van ontwikkeling-eenvormigheid in die streek. Hierdie diversiteit skep 'n risiko van gepolariseerde en ongelyke investering en ontwikkeling by die lidlande, en gevolglik 'n risiko van globale marginalisasie. Hierdie aspekte ondersteun nie ekonomies integrasie nie, maar eerder ekonomiese samewerking om by te dra tot die ekonomiese ontwikkeling van die lOR. Die lOR, as deel van die globale handelsproses, maak 'n noemenswaardige gedeelte uit van wêreldhandel, met oorsprong in die streek, en die streek bied 'n groot mark binne die globale ekonomie. Die ontwikkeling van die lOR in hierdie aspek vind hoofsaaklik plaas binne die raamwerk en reëls van die Wêreld Handelsorganisasie. 'n Vergelyking tussen die Indiese Oseaan Randgebied Assosiasie vir Ekonomiese Samewerking (lOR-ARC) en ander streeksorganisasies, wat die hoof globale handeldrywende nasies insluit, toon duidelik dat die lOR-ARC in handelsvolume en ekonomiese impak nie vergelykbaar is nie. Die strategiese belangrikheid van die energiebronne en die streeksligging in besonder, verhoog egter die belangrikheid van die streek in die wêreld orde. Die huidige lae streekshandel in die lOR dra daartoe by dat die lOR lande nie sterk kandidate vir streeksintegrasie is nie, alhoewel merkwaardige groei die afgelope jare op intra-streekshandel in die lOR voorgekom het. Sulke groei was aansienlik hoër as groei in lOR handel met die wêreld. SA, as hegemonie in Suider-Afrika, mag baat by ontwikkelingsgeleenthede wat mag uitvloei uit die land se prominensie in die lOR. Die Afrika Unie en NEPAD sal na verwagting egter hoër prioriteit by politieke besluitnemers geniet as die lOR. SA se gevestigde handelsfokus is gemik op die ontwikkelde "Noorde", en dit blyk asof die onmiddelike breër handelsfokus hoofsaaklik op nie-lOR lande gaan mik. Wisselende geometrie is algemeen by lOR lande en verdere verwikkelinge tussen die streek se veelvuldige sub-streeksorganisasies neig sterk na toekomstige ekonomiese integrasie. 'n Hoë vlak van institusionalisering het ontwikkel uit die rol en aktiwiteite van die lOR-ARC in streeksverband. Die lOR-ARC se beginsel van ope regionalisme bevorder integrasie verder. Die verwagting is dat die lOR-ARC, met sy oorsprong in multi-sektor ekonomiese samewerking, in die toekoms gaan beweeg na ekonomiese integrasie. Vanuit In breër perspektief gesien is dit duidelik dat die gereedheid van die lOR om ekonomiese integrasie aan te gryp tans relatief laag is. In die geheel gesien word die lOR, met die huidige fokus op ekonomiese samewerking, verwag om te beweeg na ekonomiese integrasie of neo-funksionele integrasie in die medium tot langtermyn.

The introduction of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed between China and Taiwan in 2010 has added a significantly important economic element to cross-strait relations. Little research has been done on cross-strait integration from an economic standpoint, and to analyze the potential for successful economic integration between the parties it is necessary to determine whether their political economies are compatible for integration. In this research comparative studies of the political economies of Taiwan and China are conducted with focuses on industrial orientation, market mechanisms, and the motivations driving major economic actors. This research focuses on Fujian and Guangdong, Taiwan’s closest economic partners on the mainland and the cornerstones of Beijing’s integration incentives, with a minor study conducted on Hong Kong-China integration due to similarities of economic integration mechanisms. This study uses models constructed by scholars on Chinese provincial protectionism and trade barriers to determine whether Taiwanese integration with the “Common China Market” will be mutually beneficial for the economies on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Economic indicators, trade trends, and economic policy incentives indicate that integration under ECFA is amplifying trade asymmetries and is stalling real economic growth in Taiwan. Findings also show that trade liberalization has allowed major trade barrier and protectionism-creating phenomena that were once limited to the mainland to contribute to cross-strait competition regime among the economies studied. This research contributes to the fledgling body of academic research on cross-strait economic integration and its impact on the parties directly impacted by it. Implications of this study show that it would be beneficial for the speed of ECFA integration to be reigned in, and for Taiwan to use the trade agreement as a counter to pursue bilateral regional trade that can ensure its competitiveness.

This article investigates the interrelations between the initial members of the Euro area and five important Central and Eastern European economies. We set up a theoretical open economy model to derive the Purchasing Power Parity, the Interest Rate Parity, the Fisher Inflation Parity, and an output gap relation. After taking convergence into account, they are used as restrictions on the cointegration space of a structural vector error correction model. We then employ generalized impulse response analysis to assess the dynamic effects of shocks in output and interest rates on the respective other area as well as the implications of shocks in the exchange rate and in relative prices on both areas. The results show a high degree of interconnectedness between the two economies. There are strong positive spillovers in output to the respective other region with the magnitude of the impact being similarly strong in both areas. Furthermore, we find a multiplier effect being present in Eastern Europe and some evidence for the European Central Banks' desire towards price stability. (author's abstract) / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series

The factor determinants of industry and investment location patterns in transition economies can be expected to differ from those frequently observed in developed countries. Historically, centrally planned economies have suffered from inefficient industrial policies that are generally assumed to have had distortive effects on spatial location of industry. The process of economic transition and regional integration that followed the demise of socialist structures is assumed to have subsequently affected the geographical distribution of economic activities within and between countries of the region. Given the above this thesis capitalises on the quasi-natural experiment setting to further explore industry and investment location decisions in transition economies. In particular, the research presented here follows three main objectives. First, it intends to provide a comprehensive picture of changes in industry location patterns over time. Second, it aims to contribute to the debate on factor determinants of industry location at various levels of spatial aggregation. Third, it seeks to explore location determinants of foreign direct investors in particular, given their pivotal role for economic development of transition economies. In all instances, the research is geared towards a better understanding of the role of institutional factors, such as reforms and policies, in affecting distribution of economic activity across space. Thus, the work conducted qualifies as a further contribution to the analysis of structural changes that have affected the economies under examination. In broad terms, the findings presented here point towards significant changes in spatial location patterns of industry and investments that are leading to increased polarisation of economic landscape over time. Nonetheless, we find evidence that certain institutional factors qualify as viable policy levers, thereby providing ample scope for policy makers to impact existing location patterns of economic activity.

近年來區域經濟整合風潮日漸蓬勃發展，十餘年前在中國大陸倡議下，與東協共組「中國－東協自由貿易區」。成立後該自貿區內擁有19億人口，區域生產總值近6兆美元，貿易總額達4.5兆美元，也是全球人口最多的自由貿易區。在雙邊歷經多年談判，即將正式成立自由貿易區的時點上，印尼卻發聲要求延遲實施「中國－東協自由貿易協定」（CAFTA），便使人感到疑惑與不解。究竟東協各國對於區域經濟整合的態度為何？印尼政府和企業是否做好了產業衝擊的評估報告，並提出因應之道？ 　　印尼國內自2009年中起感受到自貿區成立後將對國內產業帶來巨大衝擊，紛紛透過媒體和國會等管道，要求印尼政府暫緩全面實施零關稅。印尼政府亦評估將有228項產品會受到中國大陸產品的嚴重衝擊，而向東協秘書處遞函要求重新協商。嗣後自身考量重新協商曠日廢時、耗費大量勞力物力又緩不濟急，轉而尋求與中國大陸直接對話，雙邊就貨品關稅調降、貿易不均衡的處理方式及促進兩國產業合作等進行討論，最終獲得七項共識，其中中國大陸承諾當貿易不均衡的情況發生時，出超國將有義務增加對入超國的進口，並且協助對方產品的行銷推廣。印尼政府與中國大陸的直接對話所獲得的共識，普遍得到印尼國內的肯定，讓先前爭議問題暫時平歇。然印尼國內更關注協議的實際運作狀況，能否真正發揮效用，亦有待時間的考驗。 　　綜觀此次爭議，印尼官方和民間過往忽視產業的升級和轉型、未提前做好自貿區的因應準備，導致臨屆成立之日，才急的像熱鍋上的螞蟻。印尼擁有豐富的自然資源及充沛的勞動力，可說是未來經濟發展的耀眼新星，如能把握自貿區成立後的契機，結合中國大陸的技術及資金，雙邊進行優勢產業互補合作，兩國未來的發展將無可限量。2015年TPP及RCEP即將成立，屆時中國大陸、東協都將扮演更重要的角色，印尼如能做好完善的準備，相信將能乘著兩大區域貿易組織的翅膀，飛向更璀璨耀眼的明天。

Ce travail de mémoire porte sur le processus d’insertion sociale et économique des personnes vivant des problèmes de santé mentale. Le travail est devenu un important véhicule d’intégration sociale. En effet, on prétend que la pratique d’un métier serait pour les personnes souffrant de problèmes de santé un outil de rétablissement et de mieux-être, car elle permet de réduire les symptômes et l’incidence des hospitalisations. Le travail permet, également, d’augmenter les interactions sociales et de contribuer activement à la société. Il existe, toutefois, d’autres véhicules d’intégration qui semblent, sous certains angles, apporter les mêmes avantages. Les activités bénévoles améliorent la qualité de vie, favorisent les interactions sociales et donnent, à l’individu, l’occasion de contribuer à sa communauté. Par ailleurs, le retrait social peut être un moyen de s’éloigner des pressions sociales et de s’accorder une pause bénéfique. On soutient que les personnes ayant un problème de santé mentale qui ont une lecture positive de leur situation de marginalité tendent à être moins hospitalisées. S’appuyant sur une démarche qualitative, ce travail de recherche a tenté de cerner les perspectives, les questionnements et les perceptions des personnes ayant un trouble mental à l’égard d’un processus d’intégration socioprofessionnelle, de participation sociale et de retrait social. Des entrevues semi-dirigées ont été menées auprès de onze personnes, et grâce à ces entretiens, un portrait au regard de leurs parcours social et professionnel a pu être brossé. Les entretiens ont permis d’explorer l’impact des problèmes de santé mentale sur leur réalité et sur leur identité, leurs représentations du marché de l’emploi et les motifs qui justifient le choix de s’engager ou de renoncer à un processus d’intégration socioprofessionnelle. Les résultats de cette recherche ont permis d'identifier cinq facteurs qui peuvent influencer la décision des personnes qui sont le rapport à l'environnement social, l'identité, le rapport aux institutions de l'État, les discours de légitimation et les perspectives d'avenir. Les résultats démontrent que l'on ne peut isoler les notions de vulnérabilité, d'autonomie, de bien-être ou de stabilité dans une phase spécifique. La vulnérabilité, l'autonomie, le bien-être et la stabilité sont des états que l’on peut vivre en situation de retrait social, de participation sociale et d’intégration socioprofessionnelle. Selon les circonstances et l’état émotif, ils peuvent être des modes adaptés ou inadaptés. / This theisis explores the social and economic integration of people with mental health problems in regard to paid work. Work has become an important vehicle for social integration. Indeed, it is argued that having an occupation could be a tool to recovery and wellness in that it can reduce symptoms and prevent hospitalisation. Work also allows for increased social interactions and active participation in society. There are however, other vehicles for social integration that have the possibility of providing the same advantages as work. Volunteer activities improve the quality of life, promote social interaction and provide opportunities to contribute to community life. Moreover, social withdrawal can be viewed as a way to attain a sense of distance from social pressures and thus provide a beneficial break. It is argued that persons with mental health problems who have a positive perception of their marginal situation have a lower tendency for hospitalisation. Based on a qualitative approach, this research has attempted to identify the reasons why people with a mental disorder engage in a process of socio-professional integration, social participation and social withdrawal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 people, and through these interviews, a portrait of their social and professional process has been presented. The interviews explored the impact of mental health problems on their reality and their identity, what the labour market represents, and the reasons that justify the decision to commit or to abandon a process of socio-professional integration. This research has demonstrated that there are five factors that can influence people’s decisions: the relationship to the social environment, identity, the relationship to state institutions, legitimizing discourses and future perspectives. The results show that we can isolate the notions of vulnerability, autonomy, well-being or stability in a specific phase. Vulnerability, autonomy, well-being and stability are states that can be lived in a situation of social withdrawal, social participation and professional integration. Depending on the circumstances and the emotional state of the person, they may be considered adaptive or inadequate modes of adaptation.