The International Workshop on Transnational Labour Migration, Remittances and Changing Family Structures and Relations in Asia will be held on 27-28 July 2010 at the National University of Singapore. It is jointly organised by Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore, and the Asian MetaCentre’s CHAMPSEA project team.

Although labour migration is a complex socio-economic process, there is no doubt that much of it is driven by economic considerations. The economic aspects of transnational labour migration in Asia have, therefore, attracted much attention from both academics and policy makers. In general, there is some consensus about the economic benefits of transnational labour migration for labour-sending communities. Remittances, for example, are not only used by households to pay for basic necessities and improve their living standards; they may also contribute to transformations of the general economic landscape of sending areas when they are used for local investments and the purchase of luxury goods. There is however far less agreement on the long-term impact of remittances on labour-sending societies, especially at the level of the family. Whilst there is now some recognition that migration is a gendered process, the relationships between remittances on the one hand and gender, marital and inter-generational relations within the family on the other remain under-researched. As the family is a site of cooperation and conflict over the distribution of resources, the question of how gender and inter-generational relations in the family mediate the use and distribution of remittances as well as how remittances trigger changes in family structure and relations is of particular importance.

It is the aim of this conference to explore how economic outcomes of transnational labour migration impact on family relations and structures in both empirical and theoretical terms. The discussion at the conference is expected to be around but not necessarily restricted to the following questions:

How do gender, marital and inter-generational relations mediate the family decision making about remittances? How do economic costs and benefits of transnational labour migration affect family structure and (gender, marital and inter-generational) relations?
How do remittances in migrant-sending families, particularly in gender-differentiated labour migration uphold, reconstitute or transform gender norms and ideologies in labour-sending societies? Selected papers presented at the workshop will be considered for publication as a Journal Special Issue.

Those wishing to present a paper at the workshop are invited to submit an abstract of 250-300 words and a short biographic paragraph by 26 February 2010. Apart from summarising the main arguments and findings of the paper, the abstract should (a) indicate the theme/question of the conference that the paper aims to address; (b) briefly describe the theoretical framework or conceptual innovation of the paper; and (c) provide a statement of the paper’s methodological route and data sources.

Limited funds to cover local costs are available to speakers. Please submit and address all applications to Dr Lan Anh Hoang (arihla@nus.edu.sg) of the Asia Research Institute. Successful applicants will be notified by 15 March 2010.

Full Papers are due on 1st June 2010.