Gender differences in labour market integration trajectories of recently arrived migrants in the Netherlands

Abstract

This study investigates gender differences in recently arrived migrants' labour market activity and occupational status both shortly after arrival and with increasing length of stay. We examine the role of education, household composition and traditional gender role values by estimating multi-group multilevel models based on three waves of the New Immigrants to the Netherlands Survey. In line with findings regarding gender gaps in labour market behaviour, recent female migrants are less active on labour market than their male counterparts, and we observe a clear motherhood penalty and fatherhood premium on the number of hours worked. Men and women show only marginal differences in their occupational statuses. Changes over time do not differ between men and women, indicating persistent gender inequality in labour market attainment. Moreover, interesting differences between the nationalities were found. Polish migrants show the highest activity levels and lowest occupational status, also when compared to Bulgarians. Spanish migrants hold the highest occupational statuses. Recent Turkish migrants seem to be better integrated and show fewer gender differences than the more established Turkish minority in the Netherlands.

Getting and Keeping a Foot in the Door: Strategies by Migrant and Informal Sector Women to Remain Relevant in the Labour Market

“…This corresponds with previous research stating that newly arrived immigrants who do not have functional social networks or support structures, are particularly affected by the "motherhood penalty" (Adsera and Chiswick 2007;Banerjee and Phan, 2015). This also connects with the view in most cultures that women are still viewed as the main caretaker, whilst men are seen as the breadwinners (Stam, Verbakel, and de Graaf 2014;Ala-Mantila and Fleischmann, 2018). Furthermore, in feminist theories connections are made between women's labour market engagement and the notion of time.…”

“…The primary socialization of young women into the roles of home-and child caring care is still highly influential in the balance between work and family. Men are often perceived as the main provider for the family and thus do not experience this form of role conflict to the same extent (Verbakel, and de Graaf 2014;Ala-Mantila and Fleischmann, 2018). Time is further also described as something that is distributed to individuals or groups, sometimes by someone else, and how this can produce unequal situations and disagreements regarding how it is managed (Glucksmann, 1998).…”

Network explanations of the gender gap in migrants’ employment patterns: Use of online and offline networks in the Netherlands

“…Only recently have scholars started to pay closer attention to the labour market experiences of female migrants. One of the main conclusions of the previous research on this topic is that there is a gender gap in the employment patterns of migrants (Anthias et al 2013;Khoudja &Fleischmann 2015;Ala-Mantila & Fleischmann 2018). However, these previous studies neglected the potential impact of social networks on this gender gap.…”

Contact to Natives Among Recent Turkish Migrants in Germany: Gender Differences and Potential Explanations

“…Migrant men and women still differ extensively in their integration chances within receiving societies, particularly with regards to labor market integration (Khoudja and Fleischmann, 2015 ; Ala-Mantila and Fleischmann, 2018 ). Research suggests that next to educational discrepancies and traditional gender roles, migrant men benefit particularly from their contact to natives who facilitate the access to other relevant resources such as employment.…”