Conclusions of the EEO from Day One and Summary of Background Material

MISEP Meeting, Prague, 5-6 March 2009

OverviewMigration is a multi-faceted issue; focus on a

number of important issuesEU initiatives regarding migrationMain migration trends (intra-EU and third

country migration)Recent key trends in migration policy

Tackling undeclared work by migrants without work permit

Tackling brain drain Assisting the integration of migrants

What are main challenges?Main policy lessons?

EU initiatives regarding migrationFree movement of labour within EU is one of

fundamental pillars – but transition periods remain

Focus on tackling illegal economic activities by third country nationals with 2007 Council Directive on sanctions for employers of illegally staying third country nationals.

2008 European Pact on immigration and asylumFocus on regulating and facilitating legal

economic immigration, particularly by highly skilled workers (Blue card) and other specific groups of workers (e.g. seasonal)

Main migration trendsMigrants active in key shortage areas (pre-

economic crisis)ICT; agriculture; horticulture; construction;

horeca; domestic services; transport; retail; health and social care.

EU10+2 more likely to have shortage in skilled sectors (engineers; skilled workers for manufacturing etc.)

Shortage sectors vary from country to countryCrisis is changing position, but some shortages

remain

Main migration trends – intra EUIntra-EU migration remains modest

Average population share of EU10 nationals in EU15 countries increased from 0.2 – 0.5% between 2003-2007; share of EU15 nationals in EU15 up from 1.6-1.7%; share of non-EU nationals from 3.7-4.5%

Impact greater on key receiving countries UK, IE, ES, IT

Economic impact generally positiveShort term negative impact on wages and

unemployment; turning positive in long termSome issues of brain drain and skill shortageCultural and language barriers as well as

recognition of qualifications remain barriers

Main migration trends – third countryThird country migration remains dominant trend

Very different experiences from country to country depending on migration history, economic and cultural factors

Net third country migration increased threefold between mid-1990s and 2000s.

New trends include increased number of migrants from Central and South America and increased migration to Southern European countries

Generally positive economic effectSkills complementary, with migrants entering

sectors where demand is greatest

Main migration trends – third countryMore negative effect on wages of low skilledSome evidence of “brain waste”; but third

country migrants in general lower skilledThird country migrants have lower

employment and higher unemployment rates; greater exposure to precarious employment – particular issue during crisis

Integration measures of particular importance

Main migration trends – impact of crisisMost affected sectors some of those with

highest concentration of migrantsShock absorber for host countries, but not

sending countries – context of global crisis?Some evidence of return flowsReductions in quotas; work permits and

alterations of hard of fill job lists (greater impact on third country migrants?)

Main migration trends – impact of crisisLack of reliable data, but some indications

Some return of BG workers from ESDecline of nearly 8000 foreign workers in CZ since

crisis; a further 4000 foreign workers likely to be dismissed in 03/09

In IE sectors where most EU12 migrants are found are those most hit by crisis – redundancies and short-time working; some return flows?

Adjustments made to catalogue of hard to fill occupations ; reduction in quota by 90%; voluntary return programme (ES)

13% decline in number of work permits issued in second half of 2008 (LT)

Decline in work permits to BG and R nationals, some indication of PL migrants arriving from UK and IE (NL)

Main migration trends – impact of crisisSome evidence of return of R workers from ES and ITQuota reduced by 25% (SL)Some return flow of SK workers; third country

migration likely to be increasingly restrictedUK workers to get first call on vacancies during

recession; some data on outflow from “old Commonwealth” countries in finance sector

Increase in workers in agriculture and family businesses (TY)

Significant return flow of migrants to home countries; fewer work permits issued (ICE)

Decreasing number of work permits (NO)

Recent trends in migration policyEasing of access

Lifting of restrictions for EU10+2 nationalsSimplified procedures to recruit in “bottleneck”;

strategic occupations , certain nationalities or seasonal workers

Salary requirements to protect national labour markets or define “high skilled” segment

Unified procedures for work and residence permits (Green Cards) and simplified entry procedures

Better integration policiesIncrease in validity (or renewability of work

permits)

Tackling undeclared work by illegal migrantsMore than half of EU countries said it is important

issue and have introduced policiesHigh magnitude

30-50% of migrants in Western Europe are illegal2.8 – 6 million illegal workers in EU (estimate)D, UK, F, IT, ES some of most affected countries

Causes variedEconomic push and pull factors; illegal practices

Risks for allIndividuals, sending and receiving countries

Routes into illegalityIllegal entry; outstayed permit; trafficking; smuggling;

impact of EU enlargement and crisis

Tackling undeclared work by illegal migrantsPolicy failures?

Understaffing at bordersInflexibility of rules; bureaucracyEntry policies too restrictiveLack of enforcement of sanctionsLack of focus on push factors

Tackling undeclared work by illegal migrantsPolicies too restrictive and focussed on

criminalisation? Impact of regularisation (mass or case by case)?Core policy focus is sanctions against illegal work –

trends for most reporting countries is to increase inspections, co-operation and penalties (CZ, F, CY, LV, LT, NL, A, UK) – what is impact in long term?

However, strategic flanking measures are also necessaryFor specific groupsFor countries with high number of illegal migrantsTrafficking and other illegal practicesSpecific sectors with high incidence of illegal work

Tackling brain drainMain sectors affected: scientists; doctors; nurses; ICT

specialists; engineers; experienced in building tradeIn some countries causes skill shortages and wage risesPull factors – experience, better working conditionsReasons for return – personalMeasures to encourage return include

Information on job opportunities and working conditions at home; promotion of business start ups (LT, LV, PL, R)

Circular initiatives (also ethical recruitment)Improve opportunities at home (SL, TY for researchers)

Assisting integration of migrantsWide range of measures needed including:

LanguageTraining and labour market integrationRecognition of qualificationsHousingAnti-discriminationCultural integrationAccess to servicesSome not just for legal workers

Main challengesIntra-EU and third country migration

separate issuesLegal and illegal migration separate issuesWhat is role of migration is context of

Demographic changeKnowledge societyLisbon/post Lisbon strategyEconomic crisisRole of EU v. national policies

Main challengesKey policy concerns

Address skills gaps and labour shortages – maximise potential of intra-EU migration

Address brain drainAddress illegal migration (causes and impact)Integration of migrants

Avoiding social exclusion Avoiding brain waste Avoiding 2nd and 3rd generation issues

Some policy lessons?Migration not only solution to demographic trends and

skill/labour shortagesDomestic workforce to be fully utilised in context of

current and emerging skill needsMigration should be demand driven and migration

policies should allow “natural regulation”Better evaluation of policies to tackle illegal working by

third country workers without work permitIllegal practices such as trafficking to more effectively

addressed“Ethical recruitment practices” to tackle brain drainTurning “brain drain” into “brain gain” by encouraging

circular migrationAddressing brain waste through recognition policiesBetter integration leads to win-win situation.