Correlates of Work Behaviors Among Muslim Migrants in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

This study analyzes correlates of work behaviors among male Muslim migrants in Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei Metropolitan Areas, applying logit models to the micro-data from the Survey of Foreign Muslims in Japan (2005-2006), the Survey of Muslims in South Korea (2011) and Explorative Study on the Taiwanese Muslims (2012-2013). 

The results of logit analysis for the correlates of employment status show that ages 35+, entry before 1990, South Asian origin, intermarriage with a local woman and high school education have positive effects on self-employment in Japan.  In South Korea ages 35+, intermarriage with a local woman and high school education have positive effects on self-employment but South Asian origin has a negative effect.  In Taiwan ages 15-24 and 30-34, entry before 2007, marriage with a local woman or a compatriot, high school, junior college and polytechnic education, and speaking proficiency in Chinese have positive effects.  Therefore, the positive effects of high school education is shared by the three societies, while the effects age, year of entry, national origin and the nationality of spouse do not have consistent effects. 

As for being an employee, ages 35+ and entry before 1990 have positive effects, in Japan while ages 35+ entry in 2007-2008, Indonesian origin and high school education have positive effects in South Korea and ages 35+, entry before 2007, high school, junior college and polytechnic education, and speaking proficiency in Chinese have positive effects in Taiwan.  Therefore, the positive effects of high school education are shared by the three societies.  The results for employment type and job hunting method will be also presented.

In sum, there are some variables which have opposing effects in different societies.  They seem to reflect the differences in the population composition of Muslim migrants as well as the composition of economically active population in each society.