Migration in Europe: challenges for integration

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Migration in Europechallenges for integration

• Enrique Fernández Macías
• Research Manager, Working Conditions Team
• European Foundation

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Where do we come from

• For centuries, Europe was the main sender of
  migrants in the world.
• In 1950s, many European countries became
  immigrant societies the booming economies of
  North western Europe attracted many migrants from
  Southern Europe and the Mediterranean.
• The crisis of 1970s brought this trend to a halt
  most governments became very restrictive,
  although the previous migrants did not leave, of
  course (many established with their families in
  NW Europe).
• In the eighties, migration was reduced, although
  there were still flows due to family
  reunifications and an increase in political
  migration (asylum seekers). Integration started
  becoming a big problem xenophobia increased in
  many European countries.
• In the nineties, migration increased again, but
  the map changed completely most new migration
  was directed to former sending countries, like
  Spain or Ireland.

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The impact of the European Union

• In respect to migration, the EU is a huge
  historical achievement a (continuous)
  enlargement of the freedom of movement of its
  citizens.
• Migration within EU is called mobility. Some
  paradoxes here migration is a social problem
  (with ever-higher barriers), mobility is a
  strength (actively encouraged by institutions).
  With enlargement, migrants become mobile workers.
• In terms of regulation and law, the distinction
  between migrants and mobile workers is relevant
  in terms of integration, it is quite artificial
  (increasingly, with enlargements).
• The free movement within the EU means that there
  is a drive for coordination, not very developed
  until now but probably to be deepened

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Migration in the EU in the last 20 years
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Evolution of migration in four big countries
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The current situation proportion
ofnon-nationals per country
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The current situation EU migrants by country
(2005)
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The future?

• Demographic projections show an ageing (and
  eventual decline) of the EU population, what
  might mean difficulties for the sustainability of
  the social and economic system. More migration
  will not solve the problem, but will certainly
  help.
• The success of the EU project means an increasing
  pressure of illegal migration, specially in the
  fringes (now South, very soon East).
• With subsequent enlargements, the distinction
  between mobile workers and migrants will
  become even more artificial.

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The integration of migrants in Europe challenges
ahead

• In some countries, migration has led to racism
  and xenophobia. Specially when the economic
  situation is difficult, migrants tend to become
  scapegoats.
• Previous waves of migration were not accompanied
  by integration measures, as it was (wrongly)
  assumed that it would be temporary (guest
  workers). Current waves should have in-built
  integration measures.
• The main challenge will probably be illegal
  migration, which very often has been the
  unintended result of restrictive measures.
  Illegal migration is very harmful for the
  receiving societies and for the migrants
  themselves.
• Integration is not only a challenge for current
  and future migration a lot has to be done still
  regarding the integration of existing migrants
  (including second and third generations)

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Research by the Foundation

• Current projects
• Integration of migrants in European cities
• Geographic and labour market mobility in Europe
• Previous research
• Migration trends in an enlarged EU (2004)
• Migration and industrial relations in Europe
  (2003)
• Compendium of good practice for the prevention of
  racism at the workplace (1997)

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Thank you