Papers and contributions are now invited for the 2006 International Symposium on Contemporary Labor Economics, December 16 - 18, organized by the Wang Yanan Institute for Studies in Economics (WISE), Xiamen University, China. Submissions on general topics in the following categories are welcome:
　　1. Education and training
　　2. Migration across countries/regions
　　3. Taxation and work incentives
　　4. Unemployment
　　5. Income inequality
　　6. Social insurances
　　7. Poverty
　　8. Econometric methods in labor economics
Empirical research on or theoretical work with empirical applications to Chinese labor markets are particularly encouraged to submit. Papers, together with contact information (affiliation, title, email, phone, and fax number) and a 200-word abstract, are expected to be sent through the website http://www.wise.xmu.edu.cn/LABOR2006 before September 15, 2006. Decisions on acceptance of papers will be made by September 30, 2006. We will waive the registration fee, and provide a free hotel room and free meals for all presenters during the conference period.

The 21st century will probably be the century of China - an observation not only reflects on the rapid economic development in China in the past decades, but also the arduous steps that China has been taking in confronting difficulties that had not arisen previously. The sheer scale and complexities of these difficulties have provided a unique opportunity for economists to challenge conventional wisdom and hence enrich economics literature. One of the issues of importance upon which further development of the Chinese economy crucially hinges is theoretical and empirical investigation of Chinese labor market. In particular, there are growing concerns about the labor market imbalance of both low-skilled and college graduates across regions; income inequality and insufficient social insurance support; consequences of a rapidly aging society with low fertility; and the persistent chronic poverty in less developed areas.

This symposium will provide an opportunity for economists from China and all over the world to exchange their ideas and research results, and it is hoped that this will constitute an initial effort to facilitate research in Chinese labor markets. The working language of the conference will be English, with a few parallel Chinese sections.

In addition to conventional paper and poster sessions, this symposium will organize a session for panel discussion on the development of labor economics in North America and Europe as an attempt to introduce the subject to a Chinese audience. There will also be a dedicated session on sources and availability of Chinese labor market data, inviting initiatives on microeconomic survey database which have been contemplated and are vital for advanced research in Chinese labor market.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE:

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE:

FURTHER INFORMATION:

For updated information, please visit website: http://www.wise.xmu.edu.cn/LABOR2006
Any inquiry should be directed to: Dr. Kailing Shen at email: KLSHEN@xmu.edu.cn.

Xiamen University was founded in 1921 by Mr. Tan Kah-Kee, a well-known oversea Chinese patriot. The university is located on the resort-like island of Xiamen which hasa reputation of "Garden over the Sea" and has direct flights to many major cities in Asia. Thanks to the contribution and influence of the late president, Professor Wang Yanan, a prominent economist who first translated Marx's Das Kapital into Chinese, economics study in Xiamen University has been among the very top programs in China. The Wang Yanan Institute for Studies in Economics (WISE) is a recent effort of the Ministry of Education of China and Xiamen University to build a first class research institute and facilitate domestic and international research and academic exchanges.